What is the point of Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday has long been a tradition of the church celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem only to be crucified only five days later. Really though what is the point? I don't think the church has done a good job of teaching the significance of this celebration. Sure, Zechariah will be quoted and this entry will be looked at as a fulfilment of prophecy, but is that really all there is? I don't think so!!

This event is in itself a prophecy, it is both a fulfilment and a prediction at the same time. It is the already not yet all in one event. It is a celebration of the person of Jesus, a proclamation of his identity, and a foretelling of what is to come. Jesus brought peace in a spiritual sense, but much of the Old Testament prophecy tells of a world peace Miss America couldn't even imagine. Even the text of Zechariah seems to intertwine both the near future and the distant future within only a few chapters.

So what is the point of Jesus riding this donkey on coats and palm leaves? My dispensational friends would tell you if the Jews would have simply accepted Jesus as their king he wouldn't have had to die a few days later. That is a short sighted theology in my opinion. Instead I would suggest that it is a foretelling of future hope found in the millennial kingdom. It foretells of a peace that follows the judgement of Israels enemies (Zech. 9:1-8). Jesus preached both a kingdom that is here and a kingdom to come. This makes sense if we truly understand Palm Sunday. The gospel story is not just one of the forgiveness of sins, but one of a coming kingdom where the king is righteous, just, and peaceful.

When we celebrate Palm Sunday this year let's remember it is not only a look back at what happened, but a look forward at what will happen. We should be thankful for both.