Christian Art | Palm Sunday | Jesus’ Entrance Into Jerusalem | Loved Revealed By Jesus
Matthew 23: 1-11 | Audio Bible | King James Version | Audio KJV
Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final days of Jesus’ earthly life. The event is described in all four Gospels (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19).
The Gospels tell us that Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, which was a symbol of peace, rather than on a horse, which would have symbolized a military conqueror. This act fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, where we read, ‘Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’
The purpose of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover, which commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. However, Jesus knew that his time on earth was coming to an end and that he would soon be arrested, tried, and crucified. Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was a deliberate act, announcing Jesus’ presence as the long-awaited Messiah, the Kingdom come, the one who would save his people from sin and death.
The crowds who greeted Jesus as he entered Jerusalem were thrilled to see Jesus and hailed Jesus as the Messiah, spreading their cloaks and palm branches on the ground before him. However, their joy would soon turn to sorrow as events unfolded throughout the week, leading to Jesus’ death on the Cross. Nonetheless, we celebrate Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday as a sign of hope, peace, and salvation for Christians, and all people, around the world.
Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ | Matthew 21:1-11 KJV
‘And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.’
The meditation on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday is struck by the imagery of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, though on a donkey. Crowds of people gathered around Jesus, laying down their cloaks and palm branches before Jesus, shouting ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’ (Matthew 21:9, KJV).
This was a moment of great significance, as Jesus fulfilled prophecy by entering Jerusalem as a king, though riding on a donkey. To reflect on this event, there is love of Jesus revealed through Jesus’ fulfillment of Scripture. Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets, and this entry into Jerusalem was one more way that Jesus demonstrated his faithfulness to God’s plan.
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ, I consider the humble nature that Jesus displayed on this day. Jesus did not come as a conquering hero, riding on a majestic stallion. Instead, Jesus came on a donkey, a symbol of humility and peace. Jesus demonstrated that true power and authority do not come through force or coercion, but through humility and service.
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, may I remember Jesus humility and the example that Jesus set for us. May I seek to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, serving others with love and compassion, and submitting my life to God’s will.
Oh my Jesus, as I reflect on your triumphant entry into Jerusalem, I am filled with gratitude for your love and humility. Help me to emulate your example and serve others with a heart full of compassion. Amen.
Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ | Mark 11:1-11 KJV
‘And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.’
To meditate on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday is to be reminded of Jesus’ sovereignty over all things. In Mark 11:1-11, Jesus commands his disciples to go and find the colt for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem. They obeyed his command, and Jesus rode into the city on the colt, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.
This act of sovereign power demonstrates Jesus’ divine authority and control. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and nothing happens outside of Jesus’ sovereign will. As I reflect on the love revealed of Jesus Christ, I take comfort in the fact that he is in control of my life, even when things seem chaotic or out of our control.
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ, I see Jesus’ compassion for his disciples. Jesus cares for us in the same way. He sees our needs and provides for us, often in ways that we cannot even imagine. We can trust in Jesus’ love and provision for us, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, may I remember Jesus’ sovereignty and his compassion. May I trust in Jesus’ control over our lives and look to Jesus for provision and care.
Oh my Jesus, thank you for revealing your sovereignty and compassion to your disciples on Palm Sunday. Help me to trust in your provision and seek your guidance in all things. Amen.
Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ | Luke 19:28-44 KJV
‘And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? And they said, The Lord hath need of him. And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.’
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, I am struck by Jesus’ deep sadness for the city of Jerusalem. In Luke 19:41-44, we see Jesus weeping over the city, lamenting its impending destruction and the judgment that would come upon it.
This passage reveals the love of Jesus Christ for his people, even in the face of their rebellion and sin. Jesus knew that judgment was coming, and Jesus wept for the people who would suffer as a result. This is a reminder to us that the love of Jesus Christ is not just a warm and fuzzy feeling, but it is a love that is willing to suffer and grieve for the sake of others.
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ, I see Jesus’ prophetic words. Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and his words came to pass just a few decades later. This demonstrates Jesus’ divine knowledge and insight into the future, as well as love for his people in warning them of the impending judgment.
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, may I remember Jesus’ weeping for the city and Jesus’ prophetic words. May I take seriously the call to repentance and faith, knowing that the love of Jesus Christ is both compassionate and just.
Oh my Jesus, as I meditate on your sadness and prophetic words for Jerusalem, I am reminded of your great love and mercy for all of humanity. Help me to share your message of hope and redemption with others. Amen.
Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ | John 12:12-19 KJV
‘On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.’
A meditation on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday is to be struck by the response of the crowds to Jesus in John 12:12-19. They welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with shouts of ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’
This response reveals the love of Jesus Christ for his people, who were longing for a King to rescue them from their oppressors. Jesus came as the promised Messiah, fulfilling the prophecies of Scripture and offering himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ, I see Jesus’ willingness to be our true King. Jesus did not come to rule with an iron fist or to exercise his power for his own benefit, but rather came to serve and to lay down his life for his people.
As I reflect on the love revealed of Jesus Christ, I take comfort in the fact that he is our King and our Saviour. Jesus has come to rescue us from the bondage of sin and death and to offer us eternal life through faith in him. May I continue to meditate on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, and may I offer him worship and adoration as King and Lord.
Oh my Jesus, thank you for fulfilling scripture and being our King. Help me to always remember your example of service and sacrifice, and to honor you as my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ | Isaiah 53:1-12 KJV
‘Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.’
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, my thoughts turn to Isaiah 53:1-12, a prophetic passage that describes the coming Messiah as a suffering servant who would be wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.
This passage reveals the love of Jesus Christ for his people, as Jesus willingly offered himself as a sacrificial Lamb to atone for our sins. Jesus suffered on our behalf, taking upon himself the punishment that we deserved, so that we might be reconciled to God and have eternal life.
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ, I see Jesus obedience to the Father’s plan. Jesus did not come to earth to do his own will, but rather he came to fulfil the purpose that the Father had set for him. This meant suffering and death, but Jesus was willing to endure it for the sake of his people.
As I reflect on the love of Jesus Christ, I take comfort in the fact that Jesus has paid the price for our sins and has reconciled us to God. I can be encouraged by Jesus obedience to the Father, knowing that Jesus has set an example for me to follow. May I continue to meditate on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, and may I be filled with gratitude and awe at the depth of his love for us.
Oh my Jesus, thank you for willingly becoming our sacrificial Lamb and suffering for our sake. Help me to live a life of gratitude and to share your love and grace with others. Amen.
Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ | Philippians 2:5-11 KJV
‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, I am reminded of the love revealed by Jesus Christ through his humility. Though Jesus was equal with God, Jesus did not cling to his divine privileges, but instead took on the form of a servant and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:6-8, KJV) Jesus’ willingness to humble himself and serve others is a beautiful demonstration of his love for us.
As I reflect on the love revealed of Jesus Christ, I am filled with awe and wonder at his exaltation. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, God highly exalted him and gave to Jesus the name that is above every name. (Philippians 2:9-11, KJV) Jesus, who humbly entered Jerusalem on a donkey, is now exalted as Lord of all.
In meditations on the love revealed of Jesus Christ, I am struck by Jesus’ lordship over all. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11, KJV) He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and his love is boundless.
Oh my Jesus, thank you for your humble love and sacrifice for us. Help us to follow your example of humility and service to others. We worship you as Lord of all, and we long for the day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess your lordship. Amen.
Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ | Revelation 7:9-12 KJV
‘After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.’
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, my thoughts turn to Revelation 7:9-12, a powerful vision of a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language gathered before the throne of God, praising him and the Lamb.
This passage reveals the love of Jesus Christ for all people, regardless of their background or nationality. Jesus has extended an invitation to all nations to come to him and receive salvation through faith in him. Jesus has broken down the barriers that separate us and has made a way for us to be reconciled to God and to one another.
As I reflect upon the love revealed of Jesus Christ, I am reminded of Jesus worthiness to receive all honour, glory, and praise. Jesus is the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world, and he has done so through his own sacrificial death and resurrection. Jesus is deserving of our worship and adoration, and we can trust in Jesus for salvation.
As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, I am filled with wonder at the depth of Jesus’ love for us. May I be moved to praise Jesus for his worthiness and to share Jesus’ love with others, so that they too might come to know the salvation that Jesus offers.
Oh my Jesus, thank you for your invitation to all nations and your salvation for all who believe. Help me to share your message of hope and redemption with the world, and to worship you with all my heart. Amen.
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