Reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 21:1-11: The Sunday of the Passion, March 29, 2026
The Gospel of Matthew 21:1-11
When Jesus and his disciples had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, `The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Let us Pray the Collect for Ash Wednesday: Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Holy Week begins with a journey, a journey to Jerusalem. Remember 40 days ago we celebrated Ash Wednesday. We used palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday to make the ashes that were administered. Why do we use and why were palms waved as Jesus entered Jerusalem, because they are a symbol of victory. The people wanted a victory over Rome. They wanted Jesus to be the one who lead that victory. As we celebrate today the ashes from Palm Sunday remind us that all our victories are insignificant compared to God’s glory. Unfortunately, today we don’t wave palm branches, but we march and display signs, our need is from ruthless leaders, and it seems that marching and peaceful protest have no effect on the stubborn greedy persons in charge. In the background of this story there is a striking historical contrast. It is noted Roman governors often entered Jerusalem during festivals with military processions riding warhorses, wearing armor, and soldiers carrying banners and a lot of fanfare. Jesus enters from the opposite side of the city. Two parades. Rome’s parade says: “Submit or be crushed.” Jesus’ parade says: “Come, follow, and be healed.” Palm Sunday is a collision of worldviews. Jesus enters from the opposite side of the city. His ride was a Colt with the presence of the colt’s mother, This had significance as it possibly foreshadowed Mary’s continued presence with Jesus on another journey he will undertake within days of this event. Matthew’s Mary is relegated to being the birth mother of Jesus, and she, like Joseph, is absent from the events of Holy Week. Yet the donkey has a place. The point, though, is that an untrained colt is involved in this process and allows Jesus to ride. As the community of creation is full of beings with agency, the mother and colt willingly participate with Jesus to provide him his ride. By choosing the donkey, Jesus is not just fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy; he is redefining kingship itself. He refuses to rule by fear, spectacle, or force. His authority flows from compassion, truth, and self-giving love. This is the kind of kingship that unsettles both empires and egos. That example of a ruler will secure a victory of peace where his strength will be realized through dismantling the tools of war not crushing people. Alongside that rule, the Holy One will reaffirm the covenant and offer liberation, restoration, and protection as well as goodness and beauty. The lectionary offers us a opportunity to shed the negativity from the chaos of the world today. SING! The psalm for Palm Sunday is Psalm 118, a psalm about God saving God’s people from destruction, a song rooted in the promise of God’s steadfast love. So, when stuck between the truth of sin and the promise of salvation, we join our voices in proclaiming God’s steadfast love. Remember, this is also a psalm that Jesus and his disciples would have known. When we sing or read this psalm, we join with them, as well as generations of believers who came before and after them. Thinking back again about the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, remember we left the church with a smudge of ashes on our foreheads, now as we get ready to enter Holy Week Let us be reminded of the events of Holy Week – and of how the victory of Jesus over sin was won for us on Good Friday. Those ashes were to remind us that Christ went on ahead of us – and still goes on ahead of us. They summon us to follow him and to pray with him in the Garden of Gethsemane, to stick with him when he is arrested, and to claim him when we are asked with Peter, “Are you not a follower of that Man Jesus?” They should remind us of the dusty roads he walked upon as he brought the Good News to all people and of that last road he walked through Jerusalem, where he suffered rejection, trial, and death on the cross.
As we close let us carry that cross with Jesus as a symbol of the journey ahead.
Let us Pray the Collect for Palm Sunday: Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him 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 also 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.
Reflections by Bob 