Palm Sunday Service | Sunday March 28, 2021

Good Morning Church and we welcome you all to Palm Sunday service!

We want you today not to simply participate in today’s service, but to engage yourself. Palm Sunday service holds a very important meaning to the aspect of our faith.

Let us begin with a passage from Gospel of Matthew…

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”  This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

This coming of Christ was described by the prophet Zechariah, Zec 9:9. When Christ would appear in his glory, it is in his meekness, not in his majesty, in mercy to work salvation. As meekness and outward poverty were fully seen in Zion’s King, and marked his triumphal entrance to Jerusalem, how wrong covetousness, ambition, and the pride of life must be in Zion’s citizens! They brought the donkey, but Jesus did not use it without the owner’s consent. The trappings were such as came to hand. We must not think the clothes on our backs too dear to part with for the service of Christ. The chief priests and the elders afterwards joined with the multitude that abused him upon the cross; but none of them joined the multitude that did him honour. Those that take Christ for their King, must lay their all under his feet. Hosanna signifies, Save now, we beseech thee! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! But of how little value is the applause of the people! The changing multitude join the cry of the day, whether it be Hosanna, or Crucify him. Multitudes often seem to approve the gospel, but few become consistent disciples. When Jesus was come into Jerusalem all the city was moved; some perhaps were moved with joy, who waited for the Consolation of Israel; others, of the Pharisees, were moved with envy. So various are the motions in the minds of men upon the approach of Christ’s kingdom.

The passover reminded the Jews of deliverance from Egypt, it was celebrated.

And they said, “That is not true; tell us now.” And he said, “Thus and so he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord , I anoint you king over Israel.'” Then in haste every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps, and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king.”

We notice here, the garments are put down, this implies that this was a common practice back then. Now that Jesus came, Jesus was more appealing to them more than the feasts and celebrations to these people and they were shouting “Hosanna! Hosanna!” They knew that Jesus will provide something new as they were tired of meaningless celebrations. You know what they were looking in from Jesus? Well, it was the hope and assurance in their heart.

Religious leaders weren’t happy to know this as they wanted organized religion and rules to be followed. And then there was a clash which eventually lead to the crucifixion of Jesus.  When we look around, people are seeking peace. Religion will not save anyone, only Jesus can save. We are not taking religion to anyone.

Another point I would like to share here is, God who came to die, was one true God. God is a mighy king and a warrior, indeed, Jesus is the King of kings and because He is the king of kings, He deserves our attention.

Jesus riding on a donkey is a symbol of meekness and peace. People were expecting someone who would fight for them, however Jesus came on a donkey. Nevertheless, He was carrying hope and assurances.

On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.  Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”  Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”  So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”  They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

If you read these set of verses, specifically verse 26, you will read…

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”

People here were looking for signs and miracles. They were following Him because He could perform miracles. They were praising Him because He could serve them and perform wonders.

The other set of people praised Him because they thought He will grant them the political deliverance from the Romans.

This is equavalent to asking for a temporary deliverance. We have made the second first and first second. Soul is what needs to be in priority. We need to invite Jesus in our life and He will take care of all aspects of our lives.

Remember people, He is our mighty God sitting at the throne and He is always at work.

The people who shouted “Hosanna” were the same voices who shouted “Crucify Him”. Why? Because they worshipped Him only because what they saw, i.e. Him performing miracles.

People of God, are you looking unto Jesus because He has performed miracles or is it because He is one and only true God who has all aspects of your life covered. If your answer is the latter one, then we are glad and believe God will bless you immensely.

Are you broke? Are you furious? Are you feeling guilty of something? All you need to do is accept Christ and allow Him to enter your heart. Today is the day of assurance that Christ is alive and walking among us. All you need to do is look unto Him and seek His favour.

We hope you are encouraged with today’s word. We look forward to see you again next week. God bless!