March 24. 2013
Matthew 21:1-9
Jesus’ Cross Leads to Our Crown
Rev. George Ferch
Dearly loved by God in Christ Jesus,
The “red carpet” is synonymous with celebrity and authority. Film stars walk the red carpet into award shows. Presidents and kings receive the red carpet treatment, literally and figuratively, when they arrive in another country. The red carpet says, “Welcome. We adore you.”
Jesus received the red carpet treatment in the form of green palm branches like our children carried in. Palm branches spread before a person meant welcome. We adore you. We acknowledge your authority. Picture Jesus traveling from the Mt. of Olives into Jerusalem; a crowd with him and a crowd coming out to meet him.
We know the real reasons he is riding into the holy city in lowliness on a beast of burden. It is to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah. It is to go to the cross to pay for our sins so we may receive the crown of life. Jesus’ Cross Leads to Our Crown. He rides to meet his cross. He rides to win my crown.
Our Savior was traveling from Jericho that Sunday morning into Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus’ disciples obeyed his command to go ahead of him and acquire a donkey and her colt in the village of Bethphage. He would enter the city not on a war stallion but on an animal only servants and the poor rode.
Very appropriate. This is how the prophet Zechariah had written he would come. It was fitting because Jesus was not coming to retake the city from the Gentiles. He rides to meet his cross. The Son of God became the Son of Man to serve us. He became poor so that we might become rich in the blessings of forgiveness and eternal salvation as heirs of exaltation and glory.
People who had heard Jesus preach and seen him do miracles line the road. Pilgrims from around the world had heard that Jesus was coming. As a sign of respect and admiration, and in the case of many, genuine faith, they spread a red carpet of green palm branches in Jesus’ path. The crowds, “that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”
The shouting fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy. Our concern is not who among the crowd really believed Jesus was the Messiah, and who remained faithful to Jesus later in the week. Palm Sunday points out that the Savior’s work during his ministry had brought many to acknowledge his office publicly. They did just that in shouting the great Hallel, Psalm 118 as Jesus rode on in majesty.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke describe this entrance into Jerusalem from different angles giving us a complete picture. Jesus is the Promised One. They thanked God for keeping his promise. Jesus accepted their praise as the Savior-King riding to meet his cross.
Jesus’ office and mission become more evident as the crowds’ words echo across the miles and the centuries. St. Luke’s account shows clearly their words are religious not political. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.”
Don’t those words remind us of the events since the start of the church year? Advent, Christmas, Lent, and today, the beginning of Holy Week as Jesus rides to meet his cross. It all culminates in Jesus’ resurrection from the tomb. All those festivals join hands today on the red carpet of green palm branches.
Jesus also rides to win my crown. He did not go to the cross for his own sake but for ours. He had every right to accept the praise due him for this act of loving sacrifice. Jesus conquered his enemies, our enemies-sin, death, and the devil’s power-to give us forgiveness, life and power. God has reconciled the world in Christ and promised us the crown of victory and rule in heaven.
A portion of the apostle Paul’s words of our second lesson deserve another reading, “(He) Jesus made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” [Phil 2:8.9]
Jesus did not enter Jerusalem with the trappings of royalty. He had no army with him. Later in the week, Jesus would confirm with Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Jesus did have a regal heart in his servant’s body. He was interested only in us. He came ready to die for me to win my crown.
Jesus also had some words for those not cheering but jeering. They were not putting down palm branches but throwing sour grapes. Again, St. Luke fills out the scene. Some of the Pharisees said, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” They did not want the people making such claims of holiness about Jesus. Jesus told them, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Nature itself would testify if nothing else that Jesus’ cross leads to my crown because he is the One who saves. Jesus’ enemies continue to no avail to silence us as we confess the hope that we have in Christ.
From the days when the Old Testament prophets spoke of the Messiah’s advent in the name of the Lord, believers looked forward with excitement to his coming. Today is the day. Jesus' cross leads to my crown. His bearing my sin leads to my receiving his righteousness under the law. His death leads to my life. Palm Sunday is the day when many confirmations take place. How fitting a time to pledge our faithfulness to God as we see Jesus coming in faithfulness to Scripture and in his love for us.
Our songs this morning join the songs of the crowds between Bethphage and Jerusalem. Today is a foretaste of Jesus’ death and our victory. Jesus’ cross leads to my crown. Amen. <SDG>