A Humble Entrance

Palm Sunday/ Sunday of the Passion

April 13, 2025

Zechariah 9:9 and Philippians 2:8

 “A Humble Entrance”

Quite a few years ago, a member of the congregation at that time had gone through a long battle with cancer and the end was drawing near. Through hospice, she was being cared for at home, surrounded by family. She was a southern lady and took great pride in her appearance, even in the midst of her illness. Several of her sisters had traveled to be with her in the time that remained, and a special family celebration was planned when everyone could be present. I was also invited to be there. After everyone had come together, she was brought out in a wheelchair, her hair, makeup and clothes all looking just so. She was so happy to have everyone present, and said: “You know, I’ve always wanted to make a grand entrance.” At first glance, it looks like Jesus was making a grand entrance into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, surrounded by crowds waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” But the word that comes up in both the Old Testament lesson (Zechariah 9:9-10) and the Epistle lesson (Philippians 2:5-11) today is “humble.” We hear: “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). Also “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). Based on these two passages, the message for this Palm Sunday is titled “A Humble Entrance.” May the Lord’s rich and abundant blessing rest upon the preaching, the hearing, and the living of his Word for Jesus’ sake.

Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem fulfilled that prophecy from Zechariah. He didn’t come into Jerusalem on a war horse, but on a lowly donkey. He came as the Prince of Peace in order to accomplish the work of our salvation. Jesus’ work of accomplishing our salvation through his innocent suffering and death upon the cross is what we heard in that extended Passion narrative today (Luke 23:1-56). We understand all that Jesus has done for us through two lenses: the first is Jesus’ state of humiliation, and the second is Jesus’ state of exaltation. First, Jesus humbled himself by becoming like us in every respect except for sin (Hebrews 4:15). Like we confess in the creed, Jesus was conceived and born, suffered and was crucified, died and was buried. Like descending stair steps, Jesus went lower and lower in order to reach us at our lowest depth; to deliver us from our fallen human nature, corrupted by sin and death. The passage from Philippians makes this so very clear: “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). By humbling himself and becoming obedient even to death on the cross, Jesus humiliation had reached rock bottom. This is what Jesus has done for you and for me; for all people

About a month ago, on the Second Sunday in Lent, the Gospel lesson included Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem (Luke 13:31-35). Jesus’ desire was to gather his people together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but they would not have it. That lament of Jesus ended with these words: “And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Luke 13:35b). Jesus’ own prophetic words were fulfilled on Palm Sunday as he entered into Jerusalem, the very city he lamented over. Palm Sunday ushers us into Holy Week, this week that precedes Easter Sunday. During Holy Week, we remember and give thanks for all that God in Christ has done for us during that final week of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry. Holy Week leads us into the central mystery of our Christian faith: Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. Special worship services in Holy Week draw our attention and devotion to Jesus’ humbling himself and becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross: Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper and his washing of the disciples’ feet on Maundy Thursday; his death upon the cross on Good Friday; his rest in the tomb and passing over from death to life on Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil; and his glorious resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday. All this, Jesus has done for you and for me; for all people. And it all began with his humble entrance astride a donkey on that first Palm Sunday.

Jesus’ humble entrance, his humiliation, leads to his exaltation. Again, as we confess in the creed, Jesus descended into hell – not to suffer but to show himself triumphant in enemy territory! He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven; he sits at the right hand of the Father and will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. These are like ascending steps that climb higher and higher. This is how that Epistle lesson for today closes: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

My friends, because of Jesus’ humble entrance, we are now blessed with the assurance of making a grand entrance ourselves. When we must leave this world, we do so trusting in Christ Jesus, who was humiliated for our sake, and who is now exalted on high. Through faith in Jesus and all that he has done for us, we are assured of a place in heaven where we will be clothed in spotless garments washed in the blood of the Lamb and waving palm branches of victory (Revelation 7:9). Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! Amen.