What does unrestrained praise look like?
To Christians, it’s Jesus Christ riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as crowds cheered their Messiah, placing palm tree leaves before him.
Palm Sunday is a day of paradoxes, according to Dr. Michael Gorman, dean of the Ecumenical Institute of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore.
“Jesus’ triumphant entry [into Jerusalem] is also the prelude to his death,” he said.
Palm Sunday, also referred to as Passion Sunday, marks the start of Holy Week in the Christian faith. According to the Bible, Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing he would die five days later. His followers cut branches from palm trees to place in front of him.
“This was an ancient custom and a sign of special honor,” said Pastor Jeff Samelson of Christ Lutheran Church in Clarksville. “The idea being dust and the mud should not touch the feet of a king and not even the animal that carried a king.”
On Palm Sunday, “Jesus allowed the people to hail him as their king and as the long-awaited and prophesied Son of David ? the Messiah,” Samelson said. “Still, Jesus made his entry humbly. He rode on a donkey instead of on a war-horse or in a chariot.”
Jesus displayed his royalty, not by conquering lands, but by dying, Gorman said.
“The same crowd saying Jesus is king on Sunday are calling for his crucifixion by Friday,” said chief operating officer at Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, Bob Simpson. “Our focus on Passion Sunday is trying to elevate the story of who Jesus really is ? son of God as well as man.”
Christians also reflect on the mental and physical torture Jesus endured, including being betrayed by Judas, wearing a crown of thorns and carrying the wooden cross that he was later nailed to.
“That’s all very dark and solemn stuff to deal with, even though we know Christ submitted to it all out of love and for our salvation,” Samelson said. “So the celebration of Palm Sunday, with its sense of ?Finally, we see Jesus as the King he is!? is a really welcomed bright spot in Lent and an encouragement to those who love Jesus.”
