³³ As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

³⁴ They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

³⁵ They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. ³⁶ As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

³⁷ When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

³⁸ “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[a]

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

⁴⁰ “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Don’t you just love a grand entrance? Filled with pomp and circumstance, a grand entrance always signals something important is about to happen. No matter the venue and/or reason for gathering, a good entrance makes all the difference. The bride is about to enter, the minister asks everyone to rise as the bridal chorus plays, and a beautiful scene unfolds as the groom waits for her procession to reach him.

It is Super Bowl Sunday, and the teams are being announced. Flames, smoke, fireworks and cheering fans erupt as players rush onto the field. Graduates are eagerly waiting for “pomp and circumstance” to play so they can make their victorious march into rooms filled with family and friends. As their names are called, with excitement and a sense of accomplishment, they walk across the stage receiving the diploma signifying the completion of this stage of life.

Grand entrances mark significant moments.

Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem also marked a significant moment. This was supposed to change everything, and the promise of restitution was heavy in the air. The crowds anticipated that Israel would be restored, and the prominence once experienced through King David on the international level would again be their reality. This is evident with their declaration of Jesus as king, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” But is this the reason for Jesus grand entrance? Could there possibly be another reason he arrived as he did and when he did?

This is the issue we face each year when we approach Palm Sunday. Jesus’ grand entrance is magnificent and excites us as his present-day followers. We embrace the cultural nuance of waving palm branches, having children parade around the sanctuary to lead us in our exuberant celebration, and singing songs declaring hosanna! But do we really embrace the significance of this entrance in our own cultural context? Or do we opt for the artistic rendition of smiling faces, bright colors, and ordered rows of gawkers standing along the parade route?

This Palm Sunday, be reminded that this grand entrance marked something unexpected and perhaps still does even for us today. What unexpected move of God have you experienced lately? Can you perceive it?

Author: John Prichard

Other Lenten readings for today:

• Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29