“The Confusion” (Palm Sunday)

Week 1
Main Point and Overview:

Palm Sunday is one of the most painful days to remember in world history. What seemed to be a celebration would shortly after lead to sorrow. The Jews were desperate for a hero! The Jews were desperate for what they thought was freedom. Jesus came to offer them freedom…just not in the way they had anticipated. Instead of coming to free them from Rome’s oppression, he came to free them from sin’s stranglehold. They completely missed it. They failed to “understand” their Messiah’s reason for coming. As Jesus ascended toward Jerusalem, a large crowd gathered all around him. They spread their cloaks on the road as others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. They were in essence giving Jesus the “royal treatment” in a similar way that King Jehu received at his coronation (2 Kings 9:13). In the ancient world, the extra-biblical literature of 1 Maccabees tells us that palms were used to celebrate the liberation of the temple and victory over enemies. Maybe this is why they used palms. As Jesus journeyed toward Jerusalem, the crowds cried out “Hosanna” which is a transliteration of the Hebrew phrase hoshi'a na, which literally translates to "Save, please!". They were quoting Psalm 118:25-26 as a past prophecy of the Christ. About 450 to 500 years prior to Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, the prophet Zechariah had prophesied the event we call Palm Sunday (Zechariah 9:9). This prophecy was fulfilled in every way, and it was indeed a time of rejoicing, as Jerusalem welcomed their King. Unfortunately, the celebration was not to last. The crowds looked for a Messiah who would rescue them politically and free them nationally, but Jesus had come to save them spiritually. First things first, and mankind’s primary need is spiritual, not political, cultural, or national salvation. This misunderstanding would eventually lead to confusion, bitterness, and anger. The crowd that once cried out “Hosanna” would eventually cry out “Crucify Him” (Luke 23:21). Who is Jesus to you? Have you missed the true purpose of why he came to earth? Maybe it’s time to evaluate your perceptions of Jesus. He offers as Lord God what you need, not necessarily always what you want.