Number 45: April 7, 2006
 
The Sunday before Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, traditionally is known as Palm Sunday because of the people’s reaction to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Palm branches, representing joy and triumph, and garments, usually laid down for a king, were thrown down as Jesus entered the city. This event actually occurred on Friday, the ninth of Nisan, five days before Passover.
 
If one carefully compares all four Gospel records, he sees that Jesus entered into Jerusalem on successive days. His first entry is recorded in Mark 11:1-9, Luke 19:29-44, and John 12:12-19. It was an entry of judgment on Jerusalem and its people. His second entry was one of blessing.
 
John 12:12-14:
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 [an ass’s colt], sat thereon; as it is written.
 
Asses, especially pure white she-asses, were highly prized in the East. Only the very wealthy could afford to own one. Princes or “those that sat in judgment” rode on them. White is Biblically significant of righteous judgment, purity, and cleansing. When Christ returns in judgment [Revelation 19:11], he is on a white horse.
 
Judges 5:10:
Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
 
This entry into Jerusalem by Jesus on an ass’s colt was as a judge coming in judgment. On this day, Jerusalem and its people did not realize that Jesus would assess and pass judgment.
 
Luke 19:41-44:
And when he [Jesus] was come near, he beheld the city, and wept [wailed] over it,
Saying, If thou [Jerusalem] 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.
 
The Greek word for “visitation” is episkopē, meaning inspection or overlooking as in judgment.
Jesus rode in on an ass’s colt to judge Israel as the representative of his Father, the Supreme Judge, God. Seventy years later, the Romans totally destroyed the city and tore down the temple and massacred the inhabitants. Thus Christ’s prophesy was fulfilled. We will consider Jesus’ entry of blessing in the next edition.