Matthew 21:1-11; March 29, 2026; Palm Sunday
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Every single time that I read Matthew’s version of Palm Sunday, one word comes to mind more than any other: movement.
For not only is his account filled with words like “go” “find” “bring” “immediately” — but it’s just so fast in its pace, with all these commands, questions, prophecies, and actions happening so quickly if not simultaneously.
But more than just pace, there is also a movement happening here. A movement that would change a city; a movement that would change a people; a movement that would change history and our entire world forever.
For Jesus’ disciples would go and do as He directed them. Not only here in our story, but beyond and after Easter, when they will spread the liberating news of his Gospel far and wide.
But that’s getting ahead of ourselves. And if we do that, we risk bypassing the cross. Which would be a mistake.
But more, if we read this story too fast, with too much pace, we might confuse ourselves thinking that the very people shouting “Hosanna!” (which means, “save us!”) are the same ones asking, “who is this?” at the end.
But they are not the same people. Look again. There are different groups of people present. One is joining in and another is on the sidelines.
See, a crowd has entered the city with their branches waving, singing and chanting; and the city-folk, who are opening their doors to all of this are like “what’s going on?” // “who is all this for?”
And their question can be interpreted in one of two ways.
In the more favorable light, it could be heard innocently, if not excitedly, like: “Who is this? // I never heard of him before // Tell me more! // I don’t want to get left behind!”
It could be heard that way, more positively.
But in the less favorable light, which I think unfortunately is the case here, their question can be heard in a more sneering sort-of tone, like: “Who is this? // What is all this commotion for, this racket? // Oh, this guy? // Who comes sitting on a donkey!? // Lol, whatever! // Back to our homes then!”
Which way do you hear their question, my friends? “Who is this?”
……
Recently, you might recall, I was in the Bahamas with my family for vacation. And one night when we were all out at dinner, we too heard a noise, a movement. Music coming from somewhere up the street. It was faint at first, but then as it neared and the volumed increase, we could make out that there were trumpets blaring, whistles whistling, and voices all shouting, singing at once.
It went like this: (BEN, play the video)
I tell you, despite the poor quality of that cell-phone recording, those streets were filled with such joy and happiness that you couldn’t help but be moved yourself. And people literally were. Just leaving their dining tables and walking after this crowd, joining in.
Before I shot this video, I asked the waiter, “what’s going on; what is all this for?” And he said, “It’s a celebration, man!”
I asked, “Of what?
And he simply replied: “Celebration!”
And I loved that, the more I thought of it: “Celebrating celebration!”
And so, almost immediately, we too joined in and started walking behind them, dancing and filming. Well, more filming than dancing – these balky knees don’t move so well! I ain’t Kevin.
But my friends, you need not go to the Bahamas to join in the celebration! For Good News is coming down all streets, just as it first came down those streets, adorned with cloaks and palms, in Jerusalem.
…Now sure, like modern day Jerusalem, and everything happening over there, our own streets won’t always be filled with the prettiest song as we wait in anticipation. There’s going to be some record skips in our days, some bumps along the way, some damaging, costly, evil potholes.
There’s also going to be some construction zones, detours, and some paths that are just outright closed, for like Christ’s own path, we too will first stop at Good Friday and encounter the cross.
Sometimes then our signing will yield, going from hymns of celebration to a cappella’s of “Were You There?”
But beyond that solo, beyond that night, getting ahead of ourselves, we can trust that joyful noise is indeed coming; that shout of “Hosanna // save us!” will be answered by Heavenly angels singing: “Alleluia // He is risen! // And with him there is salvation!”
But here’s the most incredible thing, my friends…that salvation comes from the most unlikely candidate of all!
For “Who is this?”
Well, he is Jesus! And he’s that same dude from little old Nazareth, who worked in the carpenter’s shop with his pops. He’s that same guy who hung out with another guy who ate locusts and wild honey out in the wilderness. And he is that same blameless man, that Son, who later would be labeled a common criminal.
And isn’t that the most amazing thing of all? We worship a convicted criminal! For the Son of Man was charged to die, was crucified, and yet He lives!
His movement lives!
It is here, and it is alive and well.
So, the question before us today is: are we going to join in with the crowd and sing along?
Or, will we remain on the sidelines, in our city saying: “Who is all this for?” // Oh, Him? // Back to our homes then.”
Amen
