FAQ's on Palm Sunday

1) Why did Jesus come riding on a donkey?

To fulfill prophecy Zech 9:9. Also some scholars say that when people come riding on a donkey, in their culture, it meant they were coming with peaceful news.

2) What does Hosanna mean?

Hosanna means, 'Save us NOW'

3) Why were the people shouting Hosanna and waving Palm leaves?

The Jews were God's chosen people. This got into their heads. They were like the "High Caste". Everyone else was a gentile... who is like a dalit.(Just a cultural reference... not trying to propagate divisions) The very fact that Romans(Dalits) are ruling over them(High Caste) was indigestable. They were unable to overcome the Romans. The gospels say that the Roman hand was heavy upon them. They had to give taxes- One more thing they couldnt accept. "Why should I give from the income of my hard work to gentiles whom I dont want ruling over me?" They badly needed a Savior. "Jesus, Save us NOW! ... Hosanna.. Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord"

4) Why did they assume Jesus could save them?

It's been more than 3 years since Jesus started His ministry...He is famous now. Few of His "exploits" were:

a) changed Water into wine, fed 5000 with a "Happy Meal"---- Provider of food

b) Calmed storms----Control over nature

c) Healed the sick... deaf-cud hear again, blind cud see again, etc----- Physical health restoration Doctor

d) Brought dead back to life!---- Supernatural powers

e) like many great leaders... like Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler(not great), He could speak with great authority and motivate people(very important characteristic of a leader) just whom they need to lead into a battle(freedom from Romans)----- Sermon on the mount.

5) Was their assumptions correct?

No- Jesus' mission was clear and simple. His scope was eternity...not the immediate future like the Jews expected. His mission was:

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, ^{a]" style="line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]}

² to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Jesus made it very clear to them that He is the way the truth and the life. But the people wanted to 'use' Him for health, protection or prosperity.

6) Did the Jews accept His mission statement? How did they react?

NO! Unfortunately, the Jews couldn't accept Him and His mission. Very typical to human nature, they turned against Him when He didnt meet their demands. From here they did many things that hurt God. Within a week these same people were on the streets shouting "Crucify Him" and physically hurt Him...They hurt God with their words too...here's an example: "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered. With a history such as theirs.. seeing how God the father deliverd them from the egyptians, went with them in the desert and did so many miracles for them and give them promises such as As a mother cares for Her child, I will care for you, Even u parents may forsake you, I'll never leave you! a statement like this saying we have only one king-caesar... is totally crushing God and small sizing Him.

7) What happened after the Jews reacted like this? What happened in history?

²⁵All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" this was the response of the Jews when Pilate wanted to keep his hands and his family's hands clean. A curse which they called upon themselves. From History books you'll find out that the entire nation crumbled after a war with the Romans in AD 70. When were they able to regroup? 1948! A curse which called upon on them themselves, actually stood for 1900 years.

8) What are some lessons I can learn from this? there are many lessons

a) Understand God's timeline-eternity. Few minor setbacks in our life are ok.God is sovereign. All things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

b) Humility unlike the Jews.

c) Be faithful to God who is faithful to us! His plans are to prosper us and give us a future and a hope!

d) Never hurt God even with our words...the way the Israelites did.