The Hidden Irony and True Meaning of Palm Sunday: A King on a Donkey
It begins the Holy Week with the conclusion in the Passion, crucifixion and resurrection. However, the real meaning of the Palm Sunday is not the celebration itself, but some deeper connotations of the fulfilment, meekness and irony.
Jesus was received by the masses as the long awaited Messiah and King of Israel, political liberator, and overthrew Rome as a conquering general. They waved palm branches--an ancient symbol of success, victory and patriotism--and acted to Him as they would to a man who had won success. But Jesus did not ride on a glorious war horse, symbolizing strength and fighting but a lowly donkey, the calf of a labor animal. It was a premeditated resolution which fulfilled a prophet which was proclaimed in Zechariah 9:9 over 500 years previous: Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! Lo, thy king to thee, why and conqueror, low and on a donkey riding. The donkey represented peace and not war and this revealed that Jesus was the Prince of Peace whose kingdom was not on earth.
This contrast is the secret centre of Palm Sunday. His mission was not understood by the people. They wanted the national salvation urgently, through opposition, but Jesus came to answer the deeper call of mankind the redemption of their soul through spiritual salvation. His coming prearranged the final sacrifice--his death on the cross as the Passover Lamb. What appeared to be a magnificent procession was in fact the Messiah voluntarily heading to the path of suffering in order to overcome death and provide eternal life. The same shouts of Hosanna would very soon be crying Crucify Him! Such a dramatic change highlights the transience of human glorification and permanence of divine agenda.
Even palm branches have a symbolism. During the biblical period, they revered the royalty and indicated triumph. Christians today are usually blessed with palm in church and use it to make a cross or use it to remind them of the faith. The year after, many burn the dried palms to make ashes to use in Ash Wednesday as a consequence of success to become penitent and renewed. Psalm 118 too rings in its messianic currents of salvation in the event.
In addition to history, Palm Sunday is a reflection. It places a challenge to the believers to embrace Jesus not as a hero who can be used temporarily to solve world issues but rather to be a Lord of the heart, humble, a sacrifice, and victorious over sin. In a world which is demanding rapid victories, its secret tells us that the true kingship is often silent and comes in through the pages of service and obedience, and will result in resurrection hope. This is a day which is mixed with joy and sad anticipation, and challenges us to look at what we expect of God.
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