March 29 Sunday Worship Sermon Manuscript, Palm Sunday

Cheers and the Cross

Matthew 21:1–11 | Palm Sunday

1. Today is Palm Sunday, the day we remember when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem and the people waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

2. The story of Jesus entering Jerusalem is recorded in all four Gospels, but only Matthew mentions two donkeys. Today, we will look at what is unique to Matthew and reflect on the meaning of Palm Sunday, as well as the journey through Holy Week to Easter.

The Legacy of Faith: Helena and Egeria

3. After Emperor Constantine declared Christianity the official religion of Rome, his mother Helena traveled to Jerusalem and established churches: the Church of the Nativity, the Church of the Lord’s Prayer, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at Golgotha where Jesus was crucified, and the Church of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives.

4. Queen Helena was essentially the pioneer of what we now call pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and the first detailed written account of such pilgrimage still exists today. A female nun named Egeria wrote letters to her fellow sisters, which were later compiled into a book known as The Pilgrimage of Egeria.

5. Egeria is believed to have been from southern France or northwestern Spain, and from 381 to 384 she documented her three-year pilgrimage. Her writings provide valuable insight into early Christian life.

6. I briefly mentioned this before when preaching on this passage—Egeria recorded in detail how Christians in Jerusalem observed Palm Sunday around the year 380.

Palm Sunday: What Should We Remember?

7. At that time, Christians in Jerusalem gathered on the Mount of Olives in the evening, waving palm branches as they descended into the city, shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

8. This scene, together with the Gospel accounts, played an important role in shaping the liturgy and rituals of Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday.

9. The flow from Lent to Palm Sunday, into Holy Week, and finally to Easter has been passed down to us through such early pilgrim records and testimonies.

10. Jerusalem at that time was not a Christian city. Like today, it was inhabited by Jews and also by Muslims.

11. In such an environment, openly expressing Christian identity and performing such visible ceremonies required great courage.

12. Before we reflect on today’s passage, we must remember this: the fact that we worship today and observe these seasons, remembering the suffering and gospel of Jesus Christ, is a legacy handed down through the courageous actions of believers. We, too, stand in a place where we are called to express our faith without hesitation.

From Bethphage to Bethany: Jesus at the Gates of Jerusalem

13. Verse 1 tells us that Jesus, along with His disciples, came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. If you visit the Holy Land, you can see Jerusalem clearly from there—it feels very close.

14. In verse 2, Jesus tells His disciples to go to the village ahead, likely Bethany. It is about a 15-minute walk, but today, due to barriers, it can take over an hour, so I wasn’t able to go there directly.

15. Bethany was the village of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, and where Mary and Martha welcomed Jesus into their home—a place remembered for miracles and deep teaching.

“The Lord Needs Them”: Jesus is King

16. Jesus instructs His disciples to go to Bethany and bring a donkey tied there, along with its colt.

17. In verse 3, He says that if anyone questions them, they should say, “The Lord needs them,” and the owner will send them immediately.

18. When I first entered seminary, seniors jokingly told me to go to a store and take drinks and snacks, saying, “If the owner asks, just say ‘The Lord needs them!’” They were teasing me.

19. This scene is intriguing: someone might question why they are taking the donkey, yet the response “The Lord needs it” resolves the situation.

20. In 1 Samuel 8, when Israel asks for a king, Samuel warns that a king will take from the people. Kings had authority over property. In that sense, Jesus’ act also reveals Matthew’s message: Jesus is the King.

Fulfillment of Prophecy: A Path Prepared Long Ago

21. In verse 4, Matthew explains that this took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet. Verse 5 directly quotes Zechariah 9:9.

22. Matthew’s purpose is to present Jesus as the Messiah promised in the Old Testament.

23. His audience, Jewish Christians, needed to see how Jesus’ life fulfilled Scripture to confess Him as the Christ.

24. Unlike other Gospels, Matthew includes both the donkey and the colt. Zechariah mentions the colt, while the mother donkey connects to Genesis 49 in the blessing of Judah.

25. By including both, Matthew connects prophecies from Genesis to Zechariah, showing that Jesus enters Jerusalem as the King of Israel.

26. This careful connection would have been especially meaningful to Jewish readers, showing that Jesus’ journey was not random but part of God’s long-prepared plan.

Jesus on a Donkey: The Humble King

27. At first glance, Jesus entering with two donkeys may seem unusual, but it carries deep theological meaning.

28. Palm Sunday is a time filled with rich and layered meaning.

29. Though people welcomed Jesus as King, verse 10 shows that many still asked, “Who is this?”

30. They answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

31. Matthew uses Old Testament connections to show that the expected Messiah has come.

32. Many still questioned Jesus’ identity, and clarifying this was a key purpose of Matthew’s Gospel.

33. The conclusion is clear: Jesus is the King of Israel and the Christ (Messiah).

Beyond the Cheers: The Cross We Must Follow

34. The cheers were a response to this confession, drawing attention to Jesus.

35. But we know what follows: the cheers soon turn into cries of “Crucify Him,” and Jesus, who entered Jerusalem triumphantly, is arrested and crucified.

36. This reveals that Jesus’ purpose was not merely to take a throne.

37. God’s plan goes further—the true Messiah is revealed not only as King but as one who humbles Himself and loves even to death.

38. The cheers are not the final conclusion. Even when praise turns to rejection, we must continue to understand and hope in Jesus.

39. Palm Sunday invites us into this deep reflection.

Facing the Unavoidable Reality

40. Through calculation and experience, we often predict life accurately—like modern weather forecasts.

41. Over time, experience becomes wisdom, helping us discern what to do and not do.

42. This applies both to individual lives and to the church community.

43. But when we face the unexpected, beyond our experience, we are filled with worry and anxiety.

44. Looking back on my life, I see many moments when I faced the unfamiliar unwisely.

45. There were times of hesitation and haste—failures and immaturity. Yet I realize now that only by fully facing such moments can new paths open.

The Crossroads of Choice: Selling the Building

47. Recently, we’ve been receiving offers for the Oakland church building and communicating with brokers. We are not at the contract stage yet, but exchanging proposals. One major issue is environmental concerns due to the building’s age (built in 1938).

48. It’s not easy to decide whether to sell quickly or proceed cautiously at the risk of losing a buyer. We face dilemmas like this often—choices shaped by reality and vision.

49. Jesus likely stood at a similar crossroads in Bethphage: whether to go into Jerusalem where death awaited, or turn back.

A Life That Begins with Acceptance: The Meaning of Commitment

58. Matthew emphasizes not just the act of choosing, but accepting and walking the path God has long prepared.

59. Sometimes I feel like I’m becoming old-fashioned. My generation saw sacrifice and commitment as natural for those called to ministry.

60. I remember job postings that said “part-time” but required driving for early morning prayer services—what mattered was not hours but dedication.

61. Today’s younger generation focuses more on themselves, and I find myself wanting to say “that’s not right,” though I know I shouldn’t impose my perspective.

62. Yet I hope that every generation continues to wrestle sincerely with their calling before God.

63. Helena and Egeria—both women—walked difficult paths, building churches and risking their lives, driven not by recklessness but by deep faith.

64. Their courage teaches us much.

A Life Already Determined: Living Like Jesus

65. The direction of our lives has already been made clear—to believe in Jesus is to live like Him, in accordance with God’s plan.

66. We are not to be intoxicated by praise nor discouraged by tragedy, knowing that darkness will give way to light. Jesus entered amidst cheers but walked toward the cross—reminding us to live a life of full acceptance and devotion.

67. Life may be complex, difficult, and confusing, but it is still the life given to us.

68. Walking with Jesus toward Jerusalem, embracing the path of the cross, and joyfully offering our lives to God as we follow the risen and ascended Christ—may this be true for all of us.