16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. 17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"

Palm Sunday is always about the Lordship of Christ: His prophetic entrance, His rejection by many, His humility in obedience, and the final victory that will one day be known by all. The Palm Sunday parade had more prophetic implications than anyone would have guessed. Years after it happened, the disciples looked back over the event and realized what had really happened that day. The symbols of Palm Sunday were more significant than mere coincidence. The praise of fickle men was prepared by the Father to glorify the Son. Most of the Jews missed what was going on and even the disciples did not fully understand until after Jesus’ ascension. That rejection did not end with the first Palm Sunday. Christ is still rejected today.

One modern example is the continuing tension over the place of Messianic Jews in Israel. Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that Messianic Jews were not entitled to automatic Israeli citizenship under the state’s 1950 Law of Return, which granted automatic citizenship to virtually all Jews. The ruling further defined what it means to be Jewish by saying that those who believe in Jesus are Christians and therefore members of another faith, making them ineligible for automatic citizenship regardless of nationality or birth race.

That attempt, if I understood correctly, did not stand; the Court later recognized their right to citizenship. Even so, the episode illustrates the continuing cost of identifying with Jesus. It was not only then, but also now, that there is a cost to following Him. Palm Sunday remains an issue of the Lordship of Jesus.

The rejection is also worldwide. People do not naturally like to submit their wills to anyone. Many obey outwardly because of force or the laws of the land, but when Christ presents Himself, He requires the heart to follow.

Many wanted Jesus to be what they wanted Him to be. They would follow Him, if He fit their vision, but if He did not, they left. Others saw Him as Lord to be followed whether or not they understood all that was happening or all that was going to happen. Many followed once they became aware of His resurrection power.

In this Palm Sunday event, people did not see the strength of Christ as power displayed, but as humility revealed. In His humility was strength: the strength to obey in the face of opposition. His obedience was a mark of His divinity.

There will be a day when all the world will shout, “Hosanna in the highest.” Palm Sunday was a foretaste of that greatest entrance when Jesus returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Those who believed then and those who believe now, see the reason for the celebration: He is Lord!

Prayer: 

 Dale