Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” John 12:12-15
For three years the people heard Jesus teaching about His Kingdom coming, about His being the Messiah. So when the time came for Jesus to enter Jerusalem, the people believed what the Old Testament spoke of, the defeat of Roman government and the establishment of the kingdom of God through His messiah. So, on the arrival of Jesus, the palm leaves, symbols of victory and royalty, were used to greet and honor Jesus.
But when he arrived on the back of a donkey and not a warhorse, the reality of Jesus’ coming was symbolized accurately. His victory was not an immediate overcoming of the Romans, a political victory. His humble arrival proclaimed an eternal victory, a universal victory.
Palm leaves are still used to celebrate His arrival because it truly was a victory for all mankind.
A Life of Faith 