To understand the rich meaning of Jesus’ regal entry into Jerusalem, we need to consider the Jewish expectations of the Messiah. He was to be a hero who would lead them into battle, defeat their enemies and restore God’s kingdom of peace and justice. For the people of Jerusalem, that meant overcoming the Romans. Because the Messiah was to be descended from King David, he was called, “Son of David, the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”
As Jesus entered the city, the crowds cried out, “Hosanna!” which in Greek means “Lord, save us.” Because of his royal roots as a descendant of King David, the Jews believed the Messiah deserved the red carpet treatment, so Jesus was greeted with palms as he entered Jerusalem. Thus, by their actions and words, the crowds proclaimed him as their long awaited Messiah.
Jesus accepted the honor although his understanding of Messiah certainly did not match theirs. For him, the Messiah was not a military hero who would overthrow the Romans, but a humble servant of God who would conquer sin and death by doing the will of his Father. Consequently, the cheers soon turned to jeers and the crowds demanded, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” What a radical change from a hero’s welcome to a barbaric execution.
To his followers, what they witnessed epitomized all that Jesus had taught them. To love God meant totally surrendering oneself to the will of the Father. What better way could the teacher drive this lesson home than by his own example? He stood for truth, regardless of what it would cost him.
Jesus passionately demonstrates his total self-surrender to God in the garden where he pleaded, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet, not as I will, but as you will.” That didn’t come easy for him, as we hear when he cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Identifying himself with all who suffer in every age, Jesus knew he had no choice. To place his own interests first would mean being unfaithful to those who pleaded, “Hosanna! Save us, O Lord!”
One word sums up this gospel: betrayal. That is what many did to Jesus. Judas wasn’t the only one to betray Jesus; there were the chief priests, the elders, the crowds, and even his disciples. They were not the first, nor would they be the last. Adam and Eve were the first to betray God and by our own sinfulness, we have done the same from time to time.
Betrayal stems from the desire to be on top, to be better off than others, or to think of oneself as superior to others. Some betrayers act the way they do because they think they know what is best for others. Betrayal describes the motives behind Judas, Peter, the chief priests and nearly everyone else in the passion story. For example, when his hopes for a new kingdom were dashed, Judas felt that Jesus had betrayed him, so he did not hesitate to betray Jesus. Likewise, the chief priests viewed him as a fraud, guilty of blasphemy, who needed to be silenced.
Our attitude, Paul tells us, must be that of Christ, even to death on the cross. Being obedient doesn’t always come easy, given that we often want to live on our own terms, ignoring what God asks of us. But as Christians, we are called to live life on God’s terms and that means letting go of our will and following the example of the one who has come to save us, even at the risk of being jeered at and disowned by our peers. Surrendering to God is the only battle plan Jesus has for ultimately saving us from our real enemies, sin and evil. If you wish to conquer them, then allow Jesus’ prayer to be yours: “Father, not as I will, but as you will.”