Our Scripture reading for this Sunday, Palm Sunday, is Luke 19:28-44.
Before you read that passage, here is the “Triumphal Entry” account from Mark 11:1-11 –
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Having read that, now read Luke 19:28-44.
Do you notice the difference? In Luke’s account there are no shouts of “Hosanna” and no palm branches. While these elements were surely there as Jesus entered Jerusalem (and will be there for us on Sunday morning), Luke has a different emphasis. Where Mark highlights the celebration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as King, Luke highlights the darkness of the surrounding events. Where Mark hints at this darkness, Luke stresses it – most notably with Jesus’ words as he wept over Jerusalem, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:42)
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, redemption and peace were coming through his death yet no one got it, not even his disciples. This brought tears to his eyes, and soon the tears turned into weeping. All those in the crowd were hoping that Jesus would enter Jerusalem and kick out the Romans, but that is not what would bring them peace. That could only come from the cross. But sadly, Jesus was the only one to understand that. Yet, even as he wept and knew that everyone was missing the point, Jesus continued into Jerusalem. He kept going.
He would go to the cross, die, and rise again. He would do all this for our redemption.
Palm Sunday is an opportunity for us, especially as we read Luke’s account, to ask ourselves if our expectations of Jesus are like that of the crowds on that day. Do we know the way of peace, or are we looking for Jesus to meet our own expectations and desires? Do we truly recognize the time of God’s coming to us? Do we recognize God’s costly gift of redemption? Or, are we also missing the point?