The Not so Triumphal Entry
Scripture Texts: Mark 11:1-11
We all understand the irony of Palm Sunday, right? We all get how incongruent this whole day was on so many levels. The story of Palm Sunday is a story of great contrasts. The most glaring is how the crowds go from shouting hosannah to shouting crucify Him just five days later.
Then there is the incongruity of the day itself, Jesus’ going public in such an unusual and humble manner. Jesus really could have used a Triumphal Entry Planning Committee. He needed some people who knew how to put on a parade with all the necessary pomp and circumstance fitting for great an occasion and so great a dignitary.
Imagine if Jesus had the benefit of the committee that pulls off the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California? Now you are talking. There would have been the Jerusalem High School marching band, maybe a Scottish bagpipe band. Jesus would have come in on a huge white horse with a beautiful silver saddle. There would have been more than tree branches and people’s clothes spread out.
He would have ridden into the great temple and sat on King David’s throne. As the newly established king He would overthrow the Romans and put the Jewish authorities in their place. That was the Messianic expectation that prevailed over the political and religious climate of the day. He really was supposed to make Israel great again, and throw off the oppression of the ruling political party of the day.
The rabbis expected it, the disciples expected it, the crowds expected it. Think about how the crowds went from hosanna to crucify Him in five days. How does that happen? What happened that created such a 180-degree change of opinion? Huge disappointment because of unmet expectations. Jesus failed to live up to His billing. Jesus failed to rise to the expectations of the people which led to utter disappointment.