We celebrate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem mounted on a donkey to begin the last week of his saving work, which would reach its climax in the celebration of the Passover, his passion and death and his resurrection. The event is celebrated by the reading of the gospel which describes the event and by the procession with palm branches and songs. This palm procession was already taking place in Jerusalem itself around the year 400.
Matthew’s account stresses, two things: 1) that by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey Jesus fulfils the prophecy in Zecharia. (9,9;11,29); 2) the title “Son of David” given to Jesus by the crowd. The people rejoice in welcoming him and they greet him as their Messiah and King. But others view the event with alarm that will lead them to put him to death. So the joyful event of his entry into Jerusalem will result in his death on the cross.
To honour Christ as Messiah and King as the people of Jerusalem did. All who take part in the procession must remember that is not enough to honour Christ with songs and palms, if we do not honour him by the fashion of our daily lives.
From the third song about God’s Servant who will suffer. The four Servant Songs are read on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Good Friday. Christians applied these songs to Christ very early. It is in the story of the passion that Jesus is really seen as God’s servant who suffers before being glorified, In the gospel of the passion and death of Jesus there are echoes of the Servant Songs.
A very early Christian hymn, celebrating Jesus as the obedient servant of God in his passion and death which are the climax of his whole obedient life. The Son of God freely chose to become as men are and live as a man in obedience to God the Father and to accept a human condition that brought him to death by crucifixion. Christ was to suffer and then enter into glory and so this hymn also celebrates his resurrection and his glorification.
In the story of the passion we have the fulfilment, even to the letter in some cases, of Isaiah’s songs about the Suffering Servant of God. We have a detailed account of the sufferings of Jesus that are summarised in the hymn which is the second reading. We do not read the account as if we did not know the end of the story. We read it as it was written, that is, after and in the light of the resurrection. Jesus always said he would suffer and die and then rise again. The beginning of the last servant song, which comes so near in its details to the actual sufferings of Jesus, says: “See, my servant will prosper; he shall be lifted up, exalted, rise to great heights” (52,13). And the end says: “His soul’s anguish over, he shall see the light and be content”. What seemed like the victory of evil over good soon became the victory of good over evil. “Christ had to suffer and then enter into his glory” (Luke 24,26). Christ is the pattern of the Christian: “If we have died with him, we shall also live with him”, and that refers first to the death of sinfulness and second to the death of the body.
Kefa W. MHM
What you’ll find here is my personal wrestling with and reflection on Scripture. I don’t claim to have all the answers, only a sincere desire to seek truth. Some of the references used are drawn from past study and experience, and the author may no longer be able to recall all their exact sources. This reflection is not intended to establish doctrine, theology, or official teaching. Feel free to leave your comments or personal reflections below as we continue to grow deeper together in the Word of God. I’ll see you next Sunday.
