The Truth About Palm Sunday by Myra Kahn Adams for Town Hall
Today we will study Palm Sunday from four perspectives:
1.The reason why Jesus entered Jerusalem.
2. Fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy.
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3. The politics surrounding His visit.
4. Why were the crowds so welcoming to Jesus on Palm Sunday but turned against him five days later?
Let’s begin with the basics for “unchurched” readers because last year I wrote, “Growing up, I thought Palm Sunday was about glorifying palm trees.” (Not joking.)
But instead, Palm Sunday commemorates when Jesus entered Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, and the crowd welcomed him by waving palm fronds. Pilgrims from throughout the land are also streaming into the Holy City and buzzing about the miracles performed by Jesus. Here is how the Gospel of John describes the scene:
Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” (John 12:17-19).
Only a few weeks earlier, Jesus had resurrected Lazarus from the dead. Since we recently studied this miracle in Vol. 52, here is a pop quiz that helps explain Palm Sunday.
Q. What are the two reasons Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead?
A. Jesus told us, “it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:1-4). And, Jesus said, “so that you may believe” (John 11:14-15).
Q. How did the chief priests (Jewish leaders) respond to Jesus resurrecting Lazarus?
A. The Gospel of John records: “So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him” (John 12: 9-10).
