Christian Living

The Anticipated Coup

by paul hoffmaster
03/31/26
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The day known as Palm Sunday, or Jesus’ Triumphal march into Jerusalem, was destined to failure from the very beginning.  The Jewish people had been waiting for generations for the Messiah to come and restore Israel to its rightful position of prominence in the world.  On that first day of the week, Jesus approached the City of David riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey, fulfilling Zachariah 9:9 as the long-awaited King.  The main road from Mt. Olivet was packed with palm-waving “patriots” yelling, “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord.” (Mark 11:10)  As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He wept over the city.  He realized that the people did not understand what the Messiah's coming meant. “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!” (Luke 19:42).  He prophesied that Jerusalem would experience full destruction by their enemies because they did not know the time of their visitation. (Luke 19:44)  In AD 70, the Roman army would destroy Jerusalem.  As He sat upon the colt, He sobbed, knowing that the people did not understand what the coming of the Messiah meant.

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people expected Him to go to the Roman Empire's municipal buildings and demand that they relinquish control of Israel.  Instead, Jesus went to the Temple and proceeded to “clean” His Father’s house of those who had made it a “Den of thieves.” (Matthew 21:13)  That same night, Jesus would return to Bethany, where the day had started.

The next day, Jesus would return to Jerusalem.  Traveling the same road He had the day before, He would have noticed the debris that littered the roadway, broken palm branches, trampled clothing, and other materials.  No crowds this time, just people on their way to the Temple to worship.  For the next few days, Jesus would teach with Parables and minister to those who would seek His touch.  On one of those days, Jesus would sit and reflect on the city He so loved. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37)

On that first day of the week, the cries of the people were “Hosanna,” but by Friday it was “Crucify Him.”  When the people realized that Jesus had not fulfilled their preconceived concept of the Messiah, they looked at Him as an impostor and wanted to find a way to punish Him.  The High Priests and Pharisees would offer that “final solution.”

The Jewish people were looking for an outward deliverance, instead of an inward change.  There were large groups of people from the Bethany area that waved palm branches, celebrating with “loud voices for all the mighty works they had seen Him do,” (Luke 19:37), but by the time they arrived in Jerusalem, they were drowned out by the “anticipators.”

What are we looking for today, a physical, outward change or a spiritual reawakening?  Today, we should raise our hands (palms) in praise and adoration for all the things Jesus has done, and is and will be doing in our lives.  Our King came and will be coming again.  Let us wave our human palms in joyous jubilation.