In spite of the command of the leaders of Jerusalem to take Jesus, He came into the city in a very public way so that all could know and see Him. He rode on a young ass, or donkey, and a great crowd of people were with Him, waving palm branches and shouting a welcome to Him as King.
The disciples had placed their cloaks and palm branches on the road to cover the stones to make the way smoother. Some palm trees have long, flat, graceful branches, not like other trees. In lands where they grow, they were used to wave before a hero, or conqueror, as people in other lands would wave flags.
Servant King Not Conqueror
But a just king for Israel did not come as one to conquer them, but as a servant to the people and for God. That was why Jesus rode on an animal used to carry burdens. At that time there was no king of their own nation, but they were ruled by men appointed by the ruler of Rome, who cared only for the tribute money and their labor, not for the people’s good. So the people wanted a fair and honest king of their own.
Besides the company of people who were coming with Jesus, many people already in the city who heard He was approaching, went to meet Him. They also waved palm branches to welcome Him, for since the raising of Lazarus they were very certain that Jesus was the Messiah to come from God and they wanted Him made King.
So there was much joy that day, just as was written by the prophet, “Rejoice greatly or ‘fear not’, daughter of Sion; behold thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.”
Jesus and the crowds with Him went to the temple that day, and the priests there were angry at the children’s cries of “Hosanna.”
Fulfilled Prophecy
It was the duty of the high priest and prophets of that nation to proclaim a new king, to anoint him with oil and to blow the trumpets. A just king does not proclaim or make himself king, and Jesus did not make Himself King of Israel. He knew the men of the temple would reject Him, but He gave them the opportunity to honor Him as the King sent by God. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies which they knew.
It is told here that the disciples did not realize that day that they were carrying out the words of the prophet. But after Jesus was gone back to heaven, they remembered the scriptures and knew they had done the things for Him, just as written.
Other scriptures tell of a time after sin is judged that Christ shall rule over all people, from “sea to sea,” but not as the lowly King, as He came that day. He will be “KING OF KINGS and LORD of LORDS” (Rev. 19:16, 20:6; Psa. 72:88He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. (Psalm 72:8)).
Further Meditation:
1. How did people in that day make use of palm branches?
2. In what ways does this passage from the Bible show that the Lord couldn’t have been a false Messiah who was trying to imitate what the Messiah was supposed to do?
3. If you would like to read more of what the Word of God has to say about that coming day when the Lord will reign supreme then you might really enjoy reading Prophetic Scriptures by C. E. Lunden. It is an arrangement of various scriptures by prophetic theme with a very small amount of additional commentary.