Sunday
John 12:12-19

Palm Sunday – Jesus Enters Jerusalem

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, he did so to fulfill the prophesy found in Zechariah 9:9. In 9:1-8, Zechariah described the march of Alexander the Great and his army as he defeated the Persians in 333 BC. By placing the prophecy about Jesus after the prophecy about Alexander the Great, Zechariah was inviting his readers to contrast the two conquerors: Alexander’s arrival brought fear and bondage, while Jesus’ would bring peace and salvation.

Two kings emerged through a city gate.
Oh, how I wanted to follow them both.
One on a steed with a pompous parade,
The other on a donkey, humble and plain.
Couldn’t I follow one for a while and then switch my troth?
To that, they both responded, “NO!”

After moments of deep and earnest debate,
I arose with a decided reverence.
Two kings emerged through a city gate,
I chose the One who came to save.
And that has made all the difference.
(the poem above was inspired by The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost)