We begin Holy Week on Palm Sunday, remembering Jesus’ entry in Jerusalem. It is the first significant event of the week leading up to His passion. He rides into the city while the people who lined His route cheered. They were eager to crown Him as King.
Yet, Jesus’ appearance on that day challenges the normal standards of a monarch. Instead of a grand, regal entrance on a majestic horse, He humbly rides a little donkey. By choosing to ride a donkey, Jesus demonstrates that His Kingdom was not of this world, and His reign was not defined by armies and worldly power.
There were no wealthy elites – no sultans, no rulers – who welcomed Him into town. These were ordinary people, like us, waving branches from simple palm trees. Most likely, they were the oppressed, the type of people Jesus always identified with during His earthly ministry.
This whole scene was a contradiction to the expectations of a conquering King. Jesus showed humility, not pride, when He entered Jerusalem. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus teaches us that true greatness is not about seeking power, status or influence. Rather, it is about serving others and humbling oneself.
It can be difficult for us to practice this in our everyday lives. Our society values achievement and exceptionalism, promoting a mentality that only being the best is good enough. This pressure contrasts sharply with Jesus’ simple and humble approach. While it’s important to strive for improvement and use our God-given abilities, we should also recognize our limitations and accept who we are; the ordinary aspects of ourselves.
For Christians, Palm Sunday is not only a day to celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, but also a time to reflect on His example of humility. Palm Sunday serves as both a celebration of Jesus’ role as the Messiah and a call to imitate His example of humility in all facets of our lives.
Jesus did not come into the world to establish a Kingdom through wealth or power. He came to build a Kingdom through humility and self-sacrifice. In His humbleness, He revealed that greatness in God’s eyes is measured not by what we acquire or achieve, but by how much we can serve others with humility and love.