Palm Sunday: The Triumphal Entry and the Coming Kingdom

Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-40

As we gather on Palm Sunday, we join the crowds in praising Jesus as He rides into Jerusalem, hailed as the King of Israel. The scene is filled with excitement and expectation. People lay down palm branches and shout, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matthew 21:9). But beneath the surface of this triumph lies a deeper truth—a kingdom not of this world and a reign that turns our earthly expectations upside down.

A Kingdom Unlike Any Other
In the Brethren Church and even so into our deeper Anabaptist tradition, we emphasize the radical nature of Jesus’ kingdom. It’s a kingdom that doesn’t rely on power, wealth, or military might. Instead, it’s a kingdom of peace, reconciliation, and community—a kingdom that transforms hearts and lives (Isaiah 9:1-7). As followers of Christ, we are not called to establish an earthly kingdom through force or political means but to live as citizens of God’s kingdom right here and now.

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey signals that His kingdom is not about domination or political power. It’s a kingdom of humble service, peace, and justice. Palm Sunday is a reminder that Christ's reign is one of love and sacrifice, not one of violence and oppression. For the Apprentice of Jesus, this is not just a symbol—it’s a way of life to be copied. As we seek to follow Jesus, we are called to live out this radical kingdom ethic in the world, practicing peace, forgiveness, and sacrificial love to everyone around us. (Zechariah 9:9-17)

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry: A Call to Reorientation
In many churches, Palm Sunday is a moment of triumph, but it’s important to note that this victory is not yet fully realized. While Jesus is proclaimed as King, He rides in not as a military conqueror but as a humble servant. The disciples and the crowd might not have fully understood what kind of King Jesus was. They expected a political savior who would overthrow Roman oppression. But the salvation Jesus offers is much deeper: it is the restoration of all things, beginning in the hearts of those who follow Him. (Romans 8:18-25)
For us as believers, this calls us to reorient our lives. We are called to follow a King who doesn’t just promise an eternal future but who invites us into a present reality where His reign is already at work. This is not about waiting passively for a distant future but about living now considering His current Kingdom.

The Call to Discipleship and Peace
Palm Sunday challenges us to examine our hearts. Are we truly willing to follow the example of Jesus? His entry into Jerusalem was not just a moment of triumph but also a journey toward the cross. The path He walks is one of self-emptying, sacrifice, and radical love. As disciples, we are called to live in such a way that the peace of Christ transforms not just our hearts but also the world around us.

In our brethren tradition, we hold to the principle of nonviolence and the belief that the way of Jesus is the way of peace. On Palm Sunday, as we remember the King who came not to be served but to serve, we are reminded that our participation in God’s Kingdom is a call to peacemaking, justice, and love. We are to embody the character of Christ in our interactions with others, demonstrating His peace in a world often filled with division and strife.

Looking Ahead to the Cross
Palm Sunday sets the stage for Holy Week, where we will follow Jesus to the cross. The crowd’s shouts of "Hosanna" will turn into shouts of "Crucify Him." Yet, we hold fast to the truth that Jesus’ death on the cross is not a moment of defeat, but the ultimate victory—a victory that transforms us from the inside out.

The very worst sin that has ever been committed was the murder of the Son of God. The very best thing that has ever happened on this planet was the death of the Son of God.
– Stuart Olyott

His resurrection, which we celebrate on Easter Sunday, is the definitive declaration that God’s Kingdom is breaking into our world in a new and powerful way.

Living Into the Kingdom
As we celebrate Palm Sunday, let us remember that Jesus is not simply the King of a future reality but the King of the present. His Kingdom is here and now. This Palm Sunday, let’s ask ourselves: How can we, as His disciples, live out the values of His Kingdom today? How can we be agents of peace, reconciliation, and love in our families, our communities, and the world? Let us embrace the radical call to follow Jesus—humble, sacrificial, and full of love—as we live into the reality of His Kingdom.

Questions to ponder:

• In what ways does Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem challenge our understanding of power and authority? 
• Do we tend to view power and authority as political, ideological, or militaristic? 
• How can we reflect the values of Jesus’ Kingdom—peace, humility, and sacrificial love—in our everyday lives, especially in a world that often elevates power through domination or force?
• Jesus calls us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) in a world often marked by conflict and division. What does it look like for us to embody Christ’s peace in our relationships, work, and communities?
• Are there areas of your life where you struggle to live out this peace?
• Are we peacekeepers or peacemakers?
• Palm Sunday reminds us that following Jesus involves both triumph and suffering. How does the anticipation of the cross reshape our view of discipleship?
• In what ways can we better prepare ourselves to live faithfully amid both the joys and challenges of following Jesus?