Today, as we gather to celebrate Palm Sunday, we join the great crowd in Jerusalem, welcoming Jesus as he enters the city. We wave our palm branches and sing: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9). Jesus does not enter Jerusalem as a conquering warrior but as a humble and peaceful king. His choice of a donkey rather than a war horse speaks volumes about the nature of his kingdom. Worldly leaders chase power with armies and swords, but Jesus shows that true strength lies in humility and love.
In the ancient world, kings rode horses when they went to war, but they rode donkeys when they came in peace. By riding a donkey, Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah: “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). This humble animal reflects a king who rules not by force, but by lifting up the brokenhearted. This act reveals the kind of king Jesus is – one who rules with love, humility, and peace rather than power, force, and violence. He comes to conquer hearts, to bring reconciliation, and to establish a kingdom not of this world. His peaceful entry stands in sharp contrast to the violence of empires, inviting us to rethink what victory really means.
Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem is a stark contrast to how worldly leaders assert their power. While Roman emperors paraded in triumph with legions of soldiers, Jesus comes with a small band of disciples and a crowd of ordinary people. He does not carry a sword; He does not ride in a chariot. Instead, he comes as a messenger of peace. This is the heart of Christ’s message: the kingdom of God is built on love, mercy, and forgiveness, not on force or domination. But, by the end of the week, the cries of “Hosanna” will turn into “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:13). The people expected a Messiah who would free them from Roman rule, but Jesus came to free them from something far greater – sin and death. His peace is not the temporary peace of political stability but the eternal peace that comes through reconciliation with God. This lasting peace challenges us to trust God’s ways over our own plans.
Palm Sunday invites us to reflect on what kind of Christians we are. Do we truly embrace the way of peace, or do we, like the crowds in Jerusalem, seek a Christ who will fulfill our personal desires? Jesus calls us to walk his path – the path of humility, patience, and nonviolence. In our daily struggles, he urges us to choose forgiveness over anger, even when it is hard. In our daily lives, we are often tempted to seek power and control, to hold grudges, and to respond to hurt with anger. But Jesus shows us another way. He invites us to enter into relationships with love, to forgive even when it is difficult, and to trust in God’s plan even when it does not align with our expectations. His example inspires us to be peacemakers wherever we go.
As we hold our palm branches today, let them remind us that we are called to welcome Jesus not only with our words but with our lives. Let us lay down, not just branches, but our pride, our fears, and our selfish desires at his feet. These palms wave for a king whose throne is a cross, not a crown of gold. Let us receive him as he is – a king of peace – who calls us to follow in his footsteps. May we carry his gentle peace into our world, trusting it will outshine all darkness. As we enter this Holy Week, may we walk with Jesus in humility and trust, knowing that true victory is not found in worldly power but in the love and peace of Christ, our King.
Rev. Dr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil