Liba Hopeson
Introduction: The story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is one of the most important moments in the Christian faith. The crowds waved palm branches, shouted “Hosanna,” and welcomed Jesus as the King of Israel. However, the crowds did not fully understand who Jesus really was or what He had come to do. They thought He was a military leader who would overthrow Roman rule, but Jesus came as a humble servant, not a warrior. His choice to ride into the city on a donkey was a sign of peace, not conquest. The crowd’s misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission is something that still happens today. Many people have wrong ideas about who Jesus is.
The Palms: Personally, I am not fond of referring to the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as “Palm Sunday”. Calling it “Palm Sunday” focuses on the crowd’s mistaken expectation of a military victory rather than Jesus’ true mission of victory through suffering and the cross. Since palms symbolized war triumph, the name does not fully reflect the peace and reconciliation Jesus came to bring.
In Jewish history, palms were symbols of victory, especially from the time of the Maccabean Revolt. The Maccabean Revolt (167–160 BC) was fought by Jewish rebels, led by Judas Maccabeus, against the Seleucid ruler King Antiochus IV, who had desecrated the Temple by sacrificing to pagan gods and outlawing Jewish practices. The revolt was a fight for religious freedom and the restoration of Jewish worship. After their victory, the Jews celebrated by waving palm branches, which later became a symbol of military triumph and national independence. So, when the crowd waved palm branches, they were expecting Jesus to be a king who would free them from Roman rule. When they shouted “Hosanna,” meaning “save us” or “deliver us,” they were not imploring Jesus to save or deliver them from their sins. They wanted Jesus to take up weapons, wage war against the Romans, defeat them and deliver them (Jews).
The crowd did not fully understand the true purpose of Jesus’ mission. They wanted a king who would fight their battles, but Jesus came to bring peace between humans and God. Their excitement for a military leader shows how easily they misjudged Him. They wanted Jesus to fit their expectations, but His purpose was much deeper and different than what they imagined.
The Misguided Crowd
The crowd’s misunderstanding of Jesus came from their limited view of what a king should be. They expected someone who would lead a rebellion and free them from Roman control. But Jesus didn’t come to bring political freedom; He came to bring spiritual freedom. As N.T. Wright explains, “Jesus was not coming to be enthroned by the crowds; He was coming to be enthroned on a cross.” Jesus wasn’t the king they wanted. He was the King they needed, but they didn’t see it.
Just days after welcoming Jesus with cheers, the same crowd called for His crucifixion. This shows how easily the crowds were misled by their own desires. Their view of Jesus was based on what they wanted, not on who He truly was. The problem the crowds had is still a problem for us today. Many people still want a Jesus who will give them what they want, like success or political change, but Jesus came to offer something much greater—salvation from sin and a restored relationship with God. We, too, must be careful not to turn Jesus into someone who fits our own expectations. He is not a tool for our own purposes; He is the Savior we need.
The Donkey
One of the most important details of this story is that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. In the ancient world, kings and warriors usually rode horses, which were symbols of power and military strength. But Jesus chose to ride a donkey, an animal that represented peace and humility. This was a powerful message. By riding on a donkey, Jesus was showing that His kingdom was not about power and force but about peace and serving others. As theologian Craig Keener says, “Jesus’ kingship is not established through military might but through self-sacrifice and a humble journey toward the cross.”
Jesus’ choice of the donkey also fulfilled the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9, which said that Israel’s king would come “righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey.” This was a sign that Jesus’ mission was not about leading a political revolt but about bringing peace between God and humanity through His death on the cross. He came to show the world that true kingship is not about power or violence, but about serving others and giving one’s life for others. He embodied servanthood, willingly lowering Himself to wash the feet of His disciples (John 13:14-15), teaching that true greatness comes through serving others. His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of love, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53:4-5).
Conclusion
The story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem teaches us important lessons about the nature of His kingship. The crowds saw Jesus as a political king who would fight for their freedom, but Jesus came to bring spiritual freedom and peace. He was not the king they wanted, but He was the King they needed. The way the crowds misunderstood Jesus is still something we struggle with today. Many people want a Jesus who fits their own desires and expectations, but the real Jesus came to serve, not to be served, and to give His life for the world. We must be careful not to misunderstand Him or expect Him to be something He is not. Jesus came to bring peace, not through force, but through sacrifice. He is the humble King who calls us to follow Him in humility and service.
