Jesus Came Triumphant to Die

Why did Jesus come into the city of Jerusalem before the Passover Feast? What message was Jesus sending to his disciples, what message was Jesus sending to the crowds, and what message was Jesus sending to the religious leaders? What did Jesus accomplish at the triumphal entry at his final Passover feast?

Jesus came into the city humbly but triumphantly. Jesus came into the city to send a clear message about who he is. Jesus was coming into the city with humility, riding a donkey. Jesus was coming into the city as Solomon came into the city, riding on a humble colt, an animal of peace (1 Kings 1:32–35, ESV).

By coming into the city in this way, Jesus was sending a message of peace. By coming into the city riding on a donkey, Jesus was identifying himself as the King of Israel. Jesus was identifying himself as the Son of David. Jesus was identifying himself as and as the Messiah, as prophesied by the Prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9-10, ESV).

At the triumphal entry of Jesus into the temple complex, “They brought a colt to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’” (Luke 19:35-38, ESV).

Jesus came in peace to die at the hands of violent sinful men in order to bring us his peace. Jesus came in the triumph of humility to win the victory over our sin by dying on the cross and rising from death to life.

Because Jesus came into the city to die at Passover, we can have his peace in heaven and experience his glory in the highest.

May we see Jesus as our triumphant King as we enter into Holy Week, and may we remember that he came in humility to live and to die and to give life for you and me.

A Collect for Palm Sunday: “Almighty and everlasting God, in your tender love for us you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself our nature, and to suffer death upon the Cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and come to share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).

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