PALM SUNDAY AT St LUKE’S
March 29, 2026
Matthew 21: 1-11
Michael Mitchell
At the beginning of Passover Week in Jerusalem around 33 ace, Jews from around Jerusalem and from the whole Greek Roman world began gathering for Passover, in the City of David, the home of the Temple. Pontius Pilate, local Roman Ruler, called in Roman Army reinforcements to the city to police and control the crowds. From the West gate of the City, Pilate led an army of Roman soldiers in full battle dress, weapons on display, riding on war horses as a show of force to the City demonstrating Roman was in command. This Pilate did each year during his reign1
Later, at the beginning of Passover week, Jesus came to town. We just re-enacted this entry this morning. Jesus rode in through the East gate of the City riding on a donkey, and a donkey colt, with his disciples following behind him. They and some of the crowd beside the street waved palm branches, symbols of “liberation” while others threw their cloaks on the road ahead of Jesus as a sign of jubilation and kingly respect. No army, no weapons, no war horses. Matthew notes that the Hebrew prophets of old foretold this very scene, donkeys and all, that this would be how the Messiah would enter Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9).
So, what is the symbolism here? Jesus rides donkeys. Donkeys were symbols of gentleness and humility, as opposed to Pilate riding in on a war horse, symbol of power and military might. Donkeys: Donkeys are gentle creatures, affectionate, cute, and rather funny to be around. Linda Blagg, who has two donkeys, says they can read your soul, and know your heart. They will do anything for you, unless you do something harmful or against their nature. Then they might kick you with their powerful hindquarters. Christians have noted that donkeys have the image of a cross in the fur on their back, a dark streak beginning at the mane, the cross-beam intersecting at the withers. They are much like Jesus himself. In all ways, the opposite of a war horse. The people shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” The word “hosanna” once meant “save us” in Hebrew and Aramaic, but by Jesus’ day, it was reduced to a cheer, more like “yeah!”2 We’re told the City was in turmoil because many did not know who Jesus was or what his entrance was all about.
Many people expected in Jesus the return of the great King David who would raise a great army and push the Roman army out of Israel and free the people, with the cloaks thrown on the road as if a red carpet, the great cheers for the great king.3 But there is no army and no weapons. Because, as Jesus has been teaching throughout his ministry, the Kingdom of God is about relationships, not Earthly governments and armies. Luke 10 and Matthew 22: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 7: “do not judge others.” Matthew 18: don’t forgive others seven times, but “seventy seven times.” Matthew 25: “Come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you…., for I was hungry and you gave me food…thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…, naked and you gave me clothing…, sick and you took care of me…, in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 20: “whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant….just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
The Kingdom of God is not in the world’s governments, nations nor their leaders. The kingdom of God is in people who express love, grace, and forgiveness to others, who seek to meet the needs of others. The Kingdom of God is in groups of people who share love, grace and forgiveness with each other. The Kingdom of God is in those who experience God’s love and grace and forgiveness and are transformed by God. A nation or government and its leaders are only Christian to the extent that they act in love, grace and forgiveness, acting in accord with the nature of God, demonstrating Jesus’ presence. Our Churches are only healing and life giving to the extent we let God make a home in us. But, fortunately for all people everywhere and in every walk of life, God gives out love, grace, and forgiveness.
We are here in the Church today giving ourselves to that transformation, seeking the life altering presence of God who can take our self-centered and often damaged selves and make us the loving and gracious disciples of Jesus Christ, citizens of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus did not come with an army to rid the world of other nation’s armies and power, but to transform people who would then transform their interactions with each other into love, grace and forgiveness, and who would behave that way in every area of their lives, be it family, business, government, or Church. Only then do our institutions begin to look like the Kingdom of God. Only then can wars stop being waged, only then can governments act as true servants to the needs of the people, only then will we treat all people with equality and dignity. Pilate’s Roman soldiers will not help create God’s work on Earth, nor any army. Laws generated in a
society not following the love of God will not bring safety and tranquility to the people. But, people transformed to love and grace Will !!
Today, Palm Sunday, and this week, Holy Week, connects us with the Creator of all existence, and God’s call to us to be in the Kingdom of God. A man riding on a donkey, serving the people in love, obedient to God, self-sacrificing, is the metaphor for the Kingdom of God.
AMEN…..
1 Men’s Bible Study, Saint Mark’s Episcopal, Little Rock
2 New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, Vol. VIII, Matthew (M. Eugene Boring), pp. 402-403.
3 NIBC, Vol. VIII, p. 403