Branching Out

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city, and a huge crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him, shouting, “The Savior! God bless the King of Israel! Hail to God’s Ambassador!” Jesus rode along on a young donkey
John 12:12-14

I love History!  Yes, I am "eccentric" like that.  As this is Palm Sunday weekend, I wanted to take point out just a few things that I found interesting (and don't call me nerdy).

First, when people found out that Jesus, who had recently raised Lazarus from the dead, was coming to Jerusalem, they gather palm branches and covered His path with them.  The palm frond represented Victory, Triumph, Peace, and Eternal Life.  Waving the palm branches and covering the road with them was usually reserved for a victorious king returning from battle.  Yet here is Jesus, the Prince of Peace, receiving this victorious honor.

Second, the people were shouting as He passed by calling Him "Savior" and "King of Israel" and "God's Ambassador" all of which were titles of honor.  When a Roman General returned from a successful campaign, the Senate could honor that General with a Procession which was among the highest honors a Roman General could receive, and this is the same thing Jesus received.

Third, a donkey was considered a sign of peace while a horse was considered a sign of war.  Warriors rode horses when they went into battle and left death and destruction in their wake.  But Jesus, who is being hailed as the King of Israel, Savior, and God's Ambassador rode into Jerusalem on the back of the peaceful donkey.

Ponder this for a moment.