Everybody Loves a Parade

Brass Bands and Huge Balloons

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. The homecoming parade in your hometown. 

It seems the old saying is right on target. Everybody loves a parade. 

I mean what’s not to love? Brass bands. Colorful floats. Huge balloons. Even Shriners driving those itty bitty motorcycles!

A One Person Parade

But the Gospel of Mark describes one parade a couple of thousand years ago that’s VERY different from any other (Mk 11:1-11). Oh, there’s a HUGE crowd. Folks are going crazy, throwing coats and waving leaves!

Instead of bands, floats, and balloons, there appears to be just one Person in the procession. The grand marshal seems to be some rural Rabbi riding on young donkey.

This particular parade has earned the name Palm Sunday. We’ll see why in a moment. It’s the day that Jesus comes riding into town like the Hero He is. The problem is that He’s NOT the Hero people want Him to be.

From Jericho to Jerusalem

We pick up the action in the suburbs of ancient Jerusalem, on the far side of the Mount of Olives. “As Jesus and His disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethpage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives” (v1).

Christ and His crew have just left Jericho (Mk 10:46-52). That’s where a blind beggar named Bartimaeus not only saw Jesus for who He really is but had his vision restored in the process.

Christ’s Coming out Party

The crazy thing about that is our Savior has tried three separate times to tell His team that He’s Messiah, the One God has promised for centuries to send (Mk 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34). Despite it all, the guys just don’t get it (Mk 8:32-33; 9:32; 10:35-37).

After keeping His messianic identity on the down low for the past three and a half years, Jesus is about to go public. Palm Sunday is His coming out party. The problem is, He’s NOT the kind of Hero they’re hoping for. Keep that point in your hip pocket.

Celebrating Passover

It’s the perfect time for Him to reveal His identity. Thousands of people are pouring into Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. As the Jewish people remember God’s deliverance from Egyptian oppression, could there be a better time for Him to send Messiah to deliver them from the Romans?

A Tale of Two Towns

Jesus and His boys hitting the big city by way of Bethpage and Bethany. Both of these towns are sit on the slopes of the Mount of Olives, a 2,700 foot mountain just east of Jerusalem.

Bethpage means “house of unripe figs.” Imagine that slogan on your water tower or city sign. The writers of Bible don’t mention it anywhere else except in the story of Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem.

Bethany is the more famous of the two towns. It’s the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. It’s also the scene of one of Jesus’ most talked about miracles. You’ve probably heard about it. The one where the Lord raises Laz from the dead so he can thank folks for coming his own funeral (Jn 11:1-44).

Donkey Rustlers

As they get closer to the two towns, Christ asks a couple of members of His team to do Him a big favor. “Jesus sent two of them ahead” (v1). We don’t know which two. What we do know is that He of sends folks out in pairs. Why? We’re always better together (Ecc 4:9-12).

Our Savior gives the disciple duo some rather crazy instructions. “Go into that village over there…As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here” (v2). What? You want us to steal a donkey for You?

“That village over there” (v2) is probably Bethpage. Why else would Mark even mention it? The Greek word the NLT translates as “young donkey” (Gr. πωλος/polos) describes a young livestock animal. Matt and Luke tell us this is a donkey (Mt 21:2; Lk 19:30).

A Holy Purpose

So what’s the deal with a young, unridden donkey? I’m so glad you asked. First of all, Jews considered animals that had never been ridden as perfect for a holy purpose.

Second, this fulfills Zechariah’s prediction about the coming Messiah. “Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt” (Zech 9:9).

Instead of Christ coming into town pulled by a team of Clydesdales or in the backseat of a limo, He’ll be riding a juvenile jenny. For Jews who’ve been waiting for their Hero from heaven, this is a big deal. It’s Jesus’ not-so-subtle way of letting folks know exactly who He is. 

Borrowing a Baby Burro

He tells the two disciples what to say if and when somebody says something. “If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon’” (v3). 

Our Savior knows that someone will ask what’s going on. It appears that Jesus had enough of a rep in the region at this point that the owner or anyone else will know who’s asking to borrow the baby burro. 

It comes as no surprise that this goes down just as the Lord says (v4-6). The pair finds the colt tied on the street. Some folks ask what they’re doing. The disciples respond and they go on their merry way.

Failing to Connect the Prophetic Dots

Once Christ has the colt, He’s ready to roll. “Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and He sat on it. Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of Him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields” (v7-8).

But like so many times before, the Lord’s closest followers don’t make the connection. His team doesn’t connect the prophetic dots until AFTER His resurrection (Jn 12:16).

The Red Carpet Treatment

Clothes on the colt? More robes and branches on the road? Kind of a crazy way to throw a parade, don’t you think? You see, back in the day, this is how you welcome a new king.

Historians say throwing your clothes on the road as a welcome mat is the way people show their submission to the authority of their new king. It’s exactly how Jehu’s friends respond when they find out he’s the next king of Israel (2Ki 9:13).

Think of it as giving the Son of God the red carpet treatment!

A Ticker Tape Parade

While the original Greek version of this passage in Mark doesn’t specifically say these are palm branches, chances are that they were. That’s because palm fronds are big deal to the Hebrew people.

Hans Bayer writes in the ESV Study Bible that Jews would use them to celebrate big military victories. Kind of like a ticker tape parade through Manhattan. Palm branches are also part of the Festival of Tabernacles. You’d even see them on Jewish coins and in the decor of local synagogues.

Ready to Toss Your Coat?

And guess what we see when the Apostle John describes gives us a sneak peek at the future royal tribute to the resurrected Jesus. The huge crowd cheers for the risen Lamb with “palm branches in their hands” (Rev 7:9).

You and I may never have a chance to toss our coat before Christ or wave a limb full of leaves in His honor. But do we willingly submit to His authority? Do we do what He says? Do we openly cheer His victory over sin and death? 

A BIG Crowd

Plenty of skeptics have said this wasn’t really a big deal. Maybe a couple of dozen folks. Certainly nothing more than a blip on radar screen of the big Passover party. 

There are a few problems with that idea. Three of Jesus’ biographers describe the folks gathered as a big crowd (Mt 21:8; Lk 19:36; Jn 12:36-37). The number of people in attendance was large enough to trigger a warning light on the dashboard of the Pharisees (Jn 12:39).

Messiah in the Middle 

The crowd is big. Large. Even huge. You can bet the Lord’s entourage has exploded over the past couple of weeks. People who’ve heard Him speak. People whom He’s healed. People who witnessed miracles like the the raising of Lazarus (Jn 12:17-18).

Mark lets us know that this is a LOUD crowd! And Messiah is smack dab in the middle of it. “Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting” (v9). Did He use His parade wave? I’m guessing no.

Singing and Chanting

The aren’t just randomly cheering Jesus. They’re actually singing and chanting the lyrics of ancient songs. Ever been to a soccer game when the fans bust out singing together? 

“Praise God! Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in the highest heaven!” (v9-10).

Our Hero Is Here!

This is straight out of what Jews call the Hallel, which are Psalms 113-118. They would sing this set of special praise songs at all the big festivals, ESPECIALLY Passover. And guess who these psalms are about? If you said “Messiah,” you’re a winner!

“Praise God” (Gr. ‘ωσαννα/hosanna) is actually an old Hebrew expression for God to come to the rescue. It’s a divine 9-1-1. In this case, the people are using it as a cheer because that long awaited Hero is finally here!!

The Great I Am

The people are singing, “Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the Lord!” (v9). Back in Psalm 118, “Lord” is actually referring to Yahweh. That’s actually God’s personal name which He tells Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3:14-16). 

Did you catch that? The lyrics they’re quoting directly connect the God who freed the Jews from Egypt with the Son of the Carpenter from Galilee. In their eyes, He is the Great I Am.

God’s Promise to David

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all describe in detail Jesus’ victory parade into Jerusalem. But Mark’s the only one to include this chant from the crowd: “Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!” (v10).

With these words, the people at the parade acknowledge that Dude riding the little donkey has come to fulfill God’s promise to King David (2Sam 7). It’s no coincidence that Rabbi from Galilee is a direct descendant of David on BOTH sides of His human parents (Mt 1:1-17; Lk 3:23-38).

And the Crowd Goes Wild!

Jesus is the everything the Jewish people have been waiting for…all rolled into one! Messiah to the rescue ! King forever! To say the crowd goes wild may be the understatement of century!!

These folks lining the road clearly believe Jesus will be the One coming to their rescue and kick their Roman oppressors out of their country. Little do they realize that Christ has come for something MUCH bigger than that. He’s here to punch sin and death in the throat once and for all.

What Happens Next?!?

Imagine the scene. Passover pilgrims pack the city. Hatred for Rome is at an all-time high. And now the Hero everyone has been waiting thousands of years for has rolled into town and come to the rescue.

What will happen next?!? What’s Jesus going to do?!? Buckle up, boys and girls.

Assessing the Situation 

Mark picks up the action as Christ heads straight to the temple mount. “So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything…” (v11). 

Our Savior studies the scene. He takes it all in. Nothing escapes His gaze of the temple grounds. He assesses the situation. 

Can’t you just see the crowd going crazy?!? They just know their Messiah/King will finally make things right. You can cut the anticipation with knife!

He Does WHAT?!?

So what does Jesus do?!? You’re never going to believe it! “He left because it was late in the afternoon. Then He returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples” (v11).

Wait…what? He leaves? 

No riot. No takeover. No revolution. Nothing. Zip. Zero. Zilch. He just looks and leaves.

Talk about an Anti-Climax!

William Lane Craig sums it up WAY better than I can. “You see, the crowd thought that at last God’s anointed king had come…And so amid shouting and singing, with the crowds surrounding him on all sides, Jesus rides in through the eastern gate of Jerusalem, into the Temple precincts, and does—nothing! He does nothing.

“Talk about an anti-climax! Jesus doesn’t cleanse the Temple; he doesn’t lead the mob against the Roman fortress; he doesn’t even give a stirring speech. He just looks around and leaves!” 

The Palm Sunday Letdown

Could this be the beginning of the end for Jesus? Could this help explain why the huge crowd would cheer His arrival on Sunday but scream for His death on Friday? Does it all begin with the Palm Sunday letdown?

Is this why the crowds go from chanting for Him to disenchanted in Him in less than a week? The problem is that He came to do what they NEEDED, not what they wanted.

Will I Bail Too?

What does this have to do with you and me? Here’s the question on the table. When Jesus doesn’t do what I want, will I bail on Him too? 

Mike Lee of Hope Community Church pulls no punches when it comes to being disappointed with God. He asks each of us how will we respond the next time something we hoped for, expected, and sacrificed for doesn’t end up happening.

A Shameful Exit

Mike points to a shameful exit from Jerusalem rather than a triumphant arrival for how we should react. When David’s son Absalom overthrows his father, the king hits the road out of town.

As he leaves, David tells his closest friends that he’s willing to accept whatever God has for him. “Let Him do what seems best to Him” (2Sam 15:26). Not exactly the same reaction we see from the crowd cheering Jesus’ arrival.

He Will NEVER Leave Us Hanging

So what’s our response when God doesn’t do what we hope for or what we expect? Will we turn our backs on Him? Will we bail on Him? Or will we let Him do what seems best to Him?

One thing for sure. He will NEVER leave us hanging. He’ll ALWAYS be there. He will never leave us or forsake us.

One Final Parade

As a matter of fact, Jesus didn’t punk out on His mission to defeat sin and death on a Roman cross when everybody ditched Him in His darkest hour. And get this. On Friday, there was one final parade on the Way of Sorrows to the Place of the Skull. 

Jesus knew full well that the cheers on Sunday would turn to jeers on Friday. He headed down the Mount of Olives before going up Calvary for you and me. The crowd may have turned on Him but He never turned around.

©2019

Jay Jennings