Easter means everything to me. Without its promise, living would be bleak and meaningless. Christ’s death upon the cross, and then three days later, the glorious Resurrection happens! Redemption, eternity, salvation, miracle, rebirth, everlasting, truth, immortality, omnipotence—these are just a few of the words that flow from that one key word: RESURRECTION.

But prior to the momentous events of Christ’s trial, His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, His eventual death on the cross, and His Resurrection, a preceding event must not be casually overlooked. This event occurred on “The Sunday Before THE SUNDAY!” We call that Sunday “Palm Sunday,” and what happened that day is often referred to as “The Triumphal Entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem.

Here’s a thought: If this was a triumphal entry, then why did they crucify Jesus at the end of the week? The crowds adored Him on Sunday but turned on Him by Friday that week. Warp speed change!

The record of the events of this day is found in three of the Gospels: Matthew 21:1-5, Mark 11:4-10, and Luke 19:39-44. Each writer describes closely and accurately what happened. And wonderfully, this was all prophesied in Zechariah 9:9-10, a full 500+ years before. Read the three New Testament references given above, and you’ll discover that by Friday following Palm Sunday, Jesus will find Himself betrayed by one of His own disciples, arrested by the high priest’s guard, accused by a group of religious leaders, tried by the Roman governor, and sentenced to die the death of a common criminal—death by crucifixion.

Interestingly, recorded not in the Bible but in human history, another grand procession was taking place in Jerusalem that same day as Jesus’ entry. Roman historians record that the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, led a procession of Roman cavalry and centurions into Jerusalem (The Last Week by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan). Imagine that spectacle! From the western side of Jerusalem comes Pontius Pilate and his retinue; from the eastern side comes Jesus Christ. Pilate leads his entry on horseback, with all the centurions wearing hammered helmets. At their sides were swords crafted from the hardest steel, and in their hands, they held spears or, if they were archers, bows with slings of arrows slung across their backs. Here was a great show of military might and strength. Ostentatiousness created to fill people’s hearts with subjugation and fear. But… Jesus’ entry was meant to show the opposite. Both Matthew and Mark record Jesus’ own words, as He instructs His disciples to go into the city and find a donkey tied up. They’re tasked with asking the owner if they can “borrow” the donkey because “the Lord needs it.” Reference now a quote from Zechariah 9, given over 500 years earlier, where he said, “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

But there is more to this passage than just a description of Jesus’ means of transportation that day. Zechariah was addressing the whole nation and reassuring the people of Judea that God had not forgotten them. Even though on that Palm Sunday the nation of Israel was under the heel of Rome, with terrible persecution going on, God had not forgotten His people.

“But I will defend my house against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch. Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.”

So, Jesus’ quote from the prophet Zechariah reminded the people of this entire passage. The message they really heard was, “God will deliver the nation from the oppressor”—in this case, Rome! Get the picture! Two processions arriving in Jerusalem on the same day! Pilate and his entourage entering the city from the west on horses and gleaming armour, conveying the strength and power of the mightiest nation in the world—Rome. The other procession, led by Jesus, riding on a young donkey, speaking of peace and safety that God brings to His people. So, that day the multitude must make a choice. Will they serve the god of this world, or will they choose to serve a king of a very different kind of kingdom—the Kingdom of God?

But there’s more. Those who welcomed Jesus by shouting out “Hosanna! Hosanna!” and who threw down their coats for the donkey to walk on, and who cut branches and waved them, in the euphoria of that moment, thought that Jesus had come to overthrow the power and bondage of Rome and set up a new kingdom on earth. They fully expected that Jesus would restore the glory and unity of the nation of Israel to its former splendor and power, as it had enjoyed under the kingships of David and his son Solomon. This new King Jesus would surely rid the nation of its oppressors. He would be a kind ruler and would bring peace and unity to the common people.

Still, there’s another layer to consider. Not only did Jesus challenge the Roman rulers, but He also challenged the local Jewish rulers. He had told them that the Temple was not the only way to find God’s forgiveness, and He went even further when He said that the Temple would be destroyed, with not one stone left upon another (Luke 19:39-44). So now He had the Jewish leaders upset because they made their living from the Temple. The scribes, the chief priest and his priests, the ruling court of the Sanhedrin, the religious parties, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees—all these people would lose their power and prestige if there was no Temple. So, not only did He challenge the power of Rome, He challenged the power of the Jewish “religionists” of His day.

And then Jesus proceeds to save and heal the lame man by telling him, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then He goes on to drive the money-changers from the Temple, saying loudly for all to hear, “My house is to be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” Corruption ruled, and Jesus called it out! So politically, He alienated the Roman government, and religiously, He alienated the nation of Israel. And so, before the next Sunday would dawn, Resurrection Sunday, the waving palms would be replaced by the pierced palms of a risen Saviour. Yes, rejected by His own people because He never did what they wanted Him to do. He never defeated the Romans. The burdensome tax system He did not cancel. He didn’t install common people into office. In their minds, this miracle worker was a failure. So, they called out for His crucifixion toward the end of what started out that week to be a “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem.

For a moment, ask yourself, as I do also, “If I had been in Jerusalem that day, and had seen both processions passing by, which one would I have chosen to follow?” Because that is the choice we make each day. We can choose power and might over love. We can choose “the way things are done” over “the way God intends them to be.” Two processions. Two choices. Which will you and I choose?

Finally, an allegory. The author is unknown. It’s titled, “Palm Monday.”

“The young donkey awakened. Pleasant memories lingered of yesterday. He arched his neck, walking proudly toward the city. ‘That group of people over by the well,’ he thought, ‘I’ll show myself to them first.’” They took no notice. “Throw your garments down,” he muttered crossly. “Don’t you know who I am?” They started in amazement. Then someone uttered an oath and threw a stone at the bewildered colt. “Miserable infidels,” he thought in bewilderment. “They don’t deserve me. I will go toward the market. That’s where the good people will be waiting.” The busy market failed to notice his arrival. “The palm branches,” he shouted. “Where are the palm branches? Have you forgotten so soon?” Dazed, he returned to his mother. “Foolish child,” she said gently, “without Him you can do nothing.”