The Palm Sunday Ride
Luke 19:28-38

It was the last week that Jesus was to be with His disciples prior to His crucifixion. City streets were filled with Jews from all over who had returned to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The Passover marked the liberation of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Unlike today, there were no 747 airplanes. There were no buses or trains. Instead, they would make the journey by foot. But this year was different for many of the pilgrims coming to Jerusalem. They had more than the Passover on their minds. Many had heard about Jesus!

Word was out about the carpenter’s son Who had fed 5,000 men with two fish and five loaves of bread. Some had heard about lepers who no longer had leprosy because they had been healed by Jesus! The lame were made to walk and the blind were made to see. This explains everyone’s excitement.

Jesus also traveled with His disciples. Although not quite as far as some of the pilgrims, He and His disciples came from Jericho. This meant an approximately  fifteen-mile journey on foot. The temperature was hot and the roads were dusty.

For Jesus, the Passover celebration marked the end of His earthly ministry. He had explained the kingdom of God. He had healed the sick and raised the dead. Now he was approaching the final part of His ministry, the redemption of man.

Before entering Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples came to two small villages, Bethphage and Bethany. These were located at the foot of the Mount of Olives. It is here Jesus gave orders to two of His disciples. They were to go and find an unbroken colt. Then they were to bring the animal to Jesus. If they were asked about this, they were to tell the owner that the Lord had need of it.

And so they did as Jesus had instructed them. When the owner confronted them, they repeated the words of Jesus and the owner said no more. This was a very expensive animal. Not only would a donkey provide transportation, but it was a beast of burden used to pull carts and plows. Donkeys could handle the strenuous work that a man could not do himself. Yet at the words of the Lord, the owner entrusted this valuable animal to two strangers.

When we understand His words, “. . . Tell them the Lord has need,” we understand something about the man who owned the animal. This man understood the Lord’s authority. We don’t know if he was a disciple. We don’t know when or if he ever met Jesus. We just know that he accepted the Lord’s authority. The words given to the disciples were selected with care! They were not instructed to tell the owner that their Master needed the colt. Instead they were to say, "The Lord has need."

It is only the Lord Who can lay claim to all men's property. When we realize this, our homes become His, our cars become His, our families become His, our bank accounts become His, our stock options become His, and we who are His servants belong to Him! We learn what it means not to cling to the things of this world! As stewards, we only have use of them for a season. In actuality, they belong to the Lord!

Sometimes our biggest problems arise because we forget the importance of just following Christ’s instructions. Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if everyone were faithful to follow the instructions of Jesus! The task might have seemed small, but no task is small in the proclamation of Jesus as King.

 They brought the colt to Jesus and cast their garments upon it. Now remember, this was the first time the colt had been ridden. It was considered untamed. However, when Jesus, the colt’s Creator sat on it, the colt humbly submitted.

As He rode the colt coming down the Mount of Olives, the multitude of the disciples of Christ praised God for all the mighty works they had seen. They shouted, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord!” They took their garments and palm leaves and laid them before Jesus.

Hundreds of years before this event, Zechariah prophesied in Zech. 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey…”

Like many of us today, they were caught up in the moment. Most of them missed some important things about Jesus. In addition to announcing His Kingship, Jesus also demonstrated the character of His Kingdom. He didn’t come riding a white stallion surrounded by a mighty army. Instead, He rode a little donkey, surrounded by an unorganized mob of fishermen, farmers and shepherds.

They were expecting an earthly King who was to liberate them from the Roman government. Instead,
    (1) Christ’s ride on a colt symbolized a King of Peace. In John 16:33, the Lord said, "Peace I     leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not     your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
    (2) The use of a beast of burden symbolized a King who would bear the burdens of men.

    (3) The colt symbolized sacredness. This was a reflection of the fact that Jesus was not coming     to save them physically by bringing down the Roman government. What He was going to do     was much greater than that. He was going to save those who believe upon Him from their     sins!
    (4) The colt symbolized meekness. Here was a King of meekness whose arms were     outstretched toward the meek and lowly. In Matt.11:28-29, He said, "Come unto me, all ye     that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of     me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." This means that     Christ’s message included everyone: the poor, the lost and all who were burdened with sin     and despair. In Him, they could find deliverance!

For many, Palm Sunday reminds them of palm leaves and branches on display at the local Church. For others, it is the Sunday that will begin the hunt for new outfits for Easter. Others view it as the time to prepare the beautifully decorated eggs for next Sunday. All of these things are fine. But the Palm Sunday Ride means much more that that. It is a reminder of a King Who would offer the ultimate gift to His people—His life! It is not just about His entrance into Jerusalem! It is about your opportunity to allow His entrance into your life!

Back to 2009 Sermons
View Sermon Archive