Palm Sunday – Presence, Praise and Proclaim

Let’s start our Palm Sunday weekend by reading about the triumphal entry.

Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV)
1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

I want us to spend some time digging a little deeper into verse ten.

Matthew 21:10 (NIV)
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

There are two things in this verse that stand out to me. The first is the question “Who is this?” The second is the statement that the whole city was stirred.

For the discussion on the question “Who is This” you will need to check out “Encourager – Palm Sunday” in-person or online at Keys Vineyard Church. Today I want to look at the reaction of the whole city when Jesus entered on that Palm Sunday over 2000 years ago.

The Whole City was Stirred

I would love to see God move in such a way in our cities, towns, villages, and communities that our neighbors begin to ask, “Who is this?”

What might it take for us to see that kind of move from God? As followers of Jesus, what is our part in partnering with God to see Him move in the lives of our friends, families and communities and cause them to ask “Who is this?” I think there are three things in the Triumphal Entry that we should take to heart.

Presence, Praise, and Proclaim

We come to know Jesus as we experience being in His presence. There is something life changing when you realize that Jesus is near. Jesus has inaugurated the Kingdom of God. He has defeated the power of sin and the power of death, and He has made a way for us to be reconciled to God. We can experience New Creation life now and forever. We live in the incredible tension of the Now and Not Yet. The Kingdom of God is here, though not yet fully here, but we live in the very real overlap of heaven and earth.

The triumphal entry is the story of Jesus coming to do all that He needed to do to set things right. This was in fulfillment of prophecy.

Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
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.

He entered Jerusalem and His very presence began to stir things up! The response from the people who knew Him was praise and thanksgiving. They were preparing the way for His entrance by carpeting the road with their coats and palm branches as they were shouting their praises to Him.

Matthew 21:9 (NIV)
9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Why were His followers so filled with thanksgiving and praise? They had witnessed firsthand His incredible ministry over the past few years. They had seen miracles and incredible acts of mercy and grace and kindness. They had heard His teaching and seen the Kingdom of God breaking in.

We have no less reason for shouting our own Hosanna’s today. We have seen and received His greatest miracle ever. In Him we have been given life eternal. Our sins are forgiven. We are made new through His death and resurrection. We were dead in our sin but in Him we have now and forever life.

Sadly, the busyness of our lives and the stresses of our culture have often resulted in the personal loss of the joyful spirit of praise. This expression of praise and thanksgiving is something that we need to recover. Not only for ourselves, but for the world around us. As we honor God with our praise and thanksgiving, it will cause the people around us to ask, “Who is this?”

And when they do we need to be prepared to proclaim the Good News. Notice in our passage today that when the people of the city asked “who is this”, the ones who were celebrating the presence of Jesus with their praises also were quick to proclaim “this is Jesus”!

Matthew 21:10-11 (NIV)
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

It is Jesus who changes everything. He is the One who gives hope and life. He is the One who extends grace and mercy. He is the One who defeated sin and the grave. He is the One who promises to be with us always.

“Who is this?” You have experienced His presence. You have every reason to praise. And whenever you are asked, be ready to proclaim, “This is Jesus!”

Steve Lawes is a Pastor, Church Encourager, and Church Consultant.