Palm Sunday is soon approaching, and this is a day that Christians across the country celebrate Jesus’s ride through Jerusalem. He made His way through the city on a donkey that was borrowed according to Matthew 21:2-3. The crowd gathered excited to see the person they believed would save them from all their troubles.
The misconception was that Jesus would help them with legalities and other aspects of life, but he was there to save their souls. Can you imagine that day and what it looked like? Oh, to be a member of the crowd as Jesus made this epic ride and saw the masses that gathered to worship Him. It would have been a sight to see.
The people were humbled and worshiped Him as the Messiah, so much so that they took off their coats and threw them to the ground. They made a soft cushion for Jesus to ride on. The crowd waved branches from the palm trees at him. Since the leaves are quite large, it made for quite a spectacular act of adoration.
It’s similar to how you would see a king on his throne being fanned and comforted by staff. However, these people came of their own free will to see the Man who was going to help them. It was probably brutally hot that day, as the temperatures in that city can get upwards of 85-100 degrees in spring. The crowd was probably trying to cool him by giving him a steady breeze too.
The Importance of the Lowly Donkey
If you were king of the entire earth and had a Father who owned the cattle on a thousand hills, why would you choose a donkey to make your grand entrance through Jerusalem? So many people look right over this part of Matthew 21, but it has significant importance. Sure, it was very kind for the couple to loan their animal for Jesus to ride on, but whether there was a donkey or not, He would have still made this journey.
Honestly, he could have ridden a camel or even walked. Why a donkey? What was the significance of this specific animal, and what was He trying to show the people?
The key here is that this celebration wasn’t just for the Messiah. If he wanted to, He could have used a chariot to make a grand entrance. However, the Lord once again chose the humble route, which was so common among His ministries.
What king would choose a lowly manger in a barn filled with hay and animals to make His entrance into the world? A king that wasn’t about all the glitz and glamour but was humble and wanted to care more about people than material possessions. So, the donkey reiterated what he had already shown so much in His life.
Remember the times that He got in trouble with His followers because he dared to eat with the publicans and sinners in Matthew 9:10-13. His own people didn’t like these citizens because they heavily taxed the Jews, and here was Jesus eating with them and fellowshipping.
Some might recognize that Jesus has some rebel instincts, especially since he defied the “rules” in His time. He healed someone on the sabbath in Luke 13:10-13, and He flipped the tables in the temple to those who were trying to buy and sell and defile the house of worship in Matthew 21:12-13.
So, it’s easy to see that the donkey was just another way to defy the odds and be different. He showed his humble nature and, no doubt, dealt with extreme emotions knowing what was about to happen to Him. Remember in Hebrews 4:1 He stated that he was tempted and tried just like you in all things?
Seeing Yourself as the Donkey
Some philosophers feel that Jesus was using a solid comparison between His people and the donkey. See, God doesn’t use a person because they are great or have high importance. He usually did just the opposite.
He tends to pick people who are down and out and doesn’t fit in with the popular crowds, as these folks aren’t afraid to go against societal norms. Think of some of the greatest miracles in the bible, like the widow with a food shortage. She had just enough oil to make one last cake for her and her son before she died.
It was a great sacrifice when Elisha showed up at her house in 2 Kings 4 asking her to make him a cake. However, she didn’t question the man, and she made the cake as he asked.
Now, God couldn’t have made such an example of this story and helped this woman if she was rich. No wonder He said in Mark 10:25 that it was easier for a camel to fit through the eye of the needle than a rich man to make it to heaven.
The widow acted out of obedience, and she was given a miracle because of her subservience. The profit sent her to borrow jars from all her neighbors and sit them out overnight and wait. The following day, each jar was filled to the rim with oil. He used this lowly widow to show the town that miracles happen when you believe.
He didn’t require anything significant to use her. The Master responds to those who have needs, but He does require faith. The widow lady had great faith, as borrowing jars proved that she was empty and ready for the Lord to fill her up.
God never used that donkey on Palm Sunday because it was great, but He used it because He wanted to show that being humble is imperative for you to be used. Maybe you see yourself as a donkey in life or as someone on the bottom of the totem pole. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, where you live, or who you associate with, as God can still use you.
Position and power mean nothing to Jesus, as He owns it all anyway. He isn’t impressed by your clout; He just wants your heart.
Why Palm Sunday Meant Everything During Holy Week?
Palm Sunday isn’t nearly as big of a celebration as Easter or the resurrection day, but a lot is missed from symbolisms in scripture. God showed His people then and still today that He always has time for them.
He knew those citizens there on Palm Sunday who were worshipping Him would soon betray Him. However, He still showed up as a sign of humility and to prove His love for them.
How hard would it have been to ride through the city that day knowing that these people would soon cry for Him to be crucified? It was the ultimate betrayal, and yet He never said a word. He didn’t try to warn them of what they would do, only spoke of His master plan to save the souls of man.
Prayer
Lord, this Palm Sunday, let me never forget the journey you took that week and how taxing it was on your body. I couldn’t imagine walking amongst people you thought were friends you knew would later betray you. I am humbled that you would make such a sacrifice for me so that I could have life everlasting.
This Easter Season, I celebrate you more than the day’s festivities. While I love eating dinner with my family and coloring eggs with my children, let me never forget this day is all about You and the importance of redemption. Amen!