Palm Sunday Parade

Article for March 29, 2026 Palm Sunday

Luke 19:29–31 29When he [Jesus] drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’”

Passover, maybe we should embrace it more and celebrate it under the auspice of Jesus’ Triumphant Entry.  At this time,  the Passover has at least three lasting meanings in one for all believers.  God passed over all who marked their entryways to their houses with the blood of the lamb.  Now we see this Passover as the Last Supper of Jesus with His apostles.  And Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper.  All of which point to the saving grace of our Lord and God.

How can you argue with the one you know is the savior?  Jesus just says tell them “‘Lord has need of it’.”  Don’t think that this would work without the Lord being present and asking for two to fetch this donkey or colt of a donkey for one minute.  There are more to the words of Jesus than just being words repeated as these two now carry the authority of Jesus and as these two speak the words of Jesus to the owner of the donkey.

Luke 19:32–34 32So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34And they said, “The Lord has need of it.”

The owner did not question the two Jesus sent as they repeated the words Jesus gave them to say.  Maybe we would think that the owner would have at least asked what Lord is this, who would be asking for my donkey and if he is a Lord why not a horse?  But Jesus did not come to boast but to serve.  This is the way of a true God and a true Son of God that He would humble Himself to those He serves.

Luke 19:35–37 35And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,

Though our Lord humbly rides in on a donkey, he is greeted with a pauper’s praise and respect as they lay down their cloaks and palm branches in place of a royal carpet.  This welcoming might seem lame to those who held high offices or being high priests.  However, the people cheered, praised, and welcomed Jesus as He road into Jerusalem to celebrate what they knew was the Passover giving praise and thanks to God for leading them out of captivity and into the land of milk and honey.

Maybe not the parade Jesus should have been met with. Yet this parade far surpasses any parade we have seen.  This parade was honored with true heart felt gratitude toward the one who truly deserved to be praised.  This is Jesus Christ the one who was about to do something that would truly change the world forever.  Jesus was about to die for everyone’s sin.

Not that the world would stop sinning but that the disciples and followers would increase insurmountably throughout the world.  Salvation would be for everyone who follows Jesus and believes in the word of God.  Not our will but the very will of God Himself to be done to save His creation, us.

Luke 19:38–40 38saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

There always has to be a joy killer!  Through their jealousy and need for power the Pharisees try to get Jesus to rebuke His disciples.  Notice that these Pharisees acknowledged Jesus to be a teacher!  Yet they still do not acknowledge Jesus to be the savior to come.

We know through God’s word and through the teaching of God’s word, that Jesus is the Christ sent to die for our sins.  We can praise our Lord not that He just died for us but that He was also resurrected for us as well.  We have a living God to praise and thank, and this living God through His death and resurrection loves us to life.

All honor, glory, and praise to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.