Scripture Reading: John 12:12-26
The time of the triumphal entry was five days before the crucifixion. There was an immense contrast between the two events. Here we see Him riding as a King into the holy city, followed by a great multitude of wildly enthusiastic people. It is a glimpse in earthly expression of the Messianic glory of Jesus. His reign was to be spiritual, but here once, it took on a form which made its appeal to the senses of mankind.
The other evangelists tell us that disciples had a part in preparing for the great pageant. We learn also that it was Jesus Himself who gave the command for this display. Once before when the enthusiastic multitude would have taken Him by force to make Him a king, He resisted and rejected the honor, sent His disciples away, dispersed the crowd, and fled to the mountain, taking refuge in prayer. Now, however, it is at His own command that this procession is undertaken. He would proclaim His Messiahship in a way that would make appeal to the rejecters. Or we may say that this really was the ride of the King to His coronation, for was not the cross the stairway to the Messiah’s throne? The events of this day fulfilled an ancient prophecy. The song that was sung, “Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord,” was a joyous outburst from the hearts of the people. Yet we know how soon that “Hosanna” was changed to “Crucify him!” A picture of the cross by Tintoretto represents the scene of the Crucifixion after it was over. It is late in the evening. The cross is empty. The multitude has scattered, and all is quiet. The crown of thorns is lying on a rock near by. Then, in the background, an ass is seen feeding on withered palm leaves. This suggests how short-lived was the enthusiasm of which the palm branches were the emblem, and marks the contrast between the shouts on this Palm Sunday and the angry cries on the following Friday.
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