Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one true God. Amen.
The purpose of this blog is to engage in meditative reflection on the events that occurred on the days that later came to be celebrated as Palm Sunday within the Church.
The first section of Matthew chapter 21 is titled as “Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem”. This section (vs. 1-17) is about one of the most important events in the history of Christianity.
At the outset, we need to understand the reason for designating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as “triumphal”. Triumph is defined as a decisive victory over a foe or opponent. In the context of Jesus’ entry, it represents His triumph over Satan. Prior to His arrival, the devil had been in control of the temple for a long time, but upon entering, Jesus expelled the devil from the temple.
In the first Epistle to the Corinthians, Saint Paul emphasises that the human body serves as a sacred dwelling place of God (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). However, it can also become a target for demonic possession. In light of this, inviting Jesus Christ into our lives will help cast out any evil spirits that have taken up residence within us. The solemn receiving of Holy Qurbana (communion) facilitates this process, as it enables Jesus to enter our body and liberate us from any demonic/malevolent influences.
The account of the physical fall of the city of Jericho, as described in Joshua 6:1-5 can be seen as a prophetic foreshadowing of the spiritual fall (fall of the demonic forces) of the temple in Jerusalem. The crumbling of the Jericho wall followed by the triumphal entry of the people of God into the city marked the fall of idolatrous practices and immoral lifestyle.
Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus Christ recaptured the city of God, Jerusalem, which had become corrupted by demonic influences. The temple authorities had become fixated on money and material wealth, prioritising it over the worship of God. While the Israelites triumphantly captured the physical city of Jericho, Jesus Christ triumphed over the spiritual corruption in Jerusalem.
The temple of Jerusalem held a preeminent position in the spiritual and emotional lives of the Jewish people, who regarded it as the dwelling place of the Lord. This belief was grounded on the visible manifestation of God’s glory within the temple on the day of its dedication, as described in 1 Kings 8:10-11. The presence of God was so overwhelming that the priests were unable to continue their ministry in the temple due to the cloud of glory that filled the house of the Lord.
In the Orthodox church, the most sacred area of the church, where the altar is located, is separated by a curtain that remains drawn except during prayers and Holy Qurbana. This practice is inspired by the Old Testament traditions and serves as a symbol of the sacredness of the Holy of Holies, where God’s glory was believed to reside.
It is worth noting that during the dedication ceremony of the Jerusalem temple, King Solomon delivered a lengthy and profound prayer, which is recorded in 1 Kings 8:22-53. The first petition of King Solomon (verses 31-32) addresses the matter of sin, and entreats the Lord to proclaim His judgement vindicating the righteous, holding each accountable for their conduct.
Ever since, the temple held a special place in the hearts of the Jewish people, as it represented a place of forgiveness, blessings, and divine presence. It was a place of pilgrimage, with many making it a point to visit at least once a year. Jerusalem was constantly on their minds and served as a symbol of hope and salvation. Whenever the Jewish people faced challenges or difficulties, they would turn towards the direction of the temple and seek solace and guidance. Even in prayer, they would face towards the temple, as seen in the example of prophet Daniel in Daniel 6:10. In similar vein, and in line with Matthew 24:27, the Orthodox churches are typically constructed facing the east, with the congregation and priest oriented in that direction during prayers and worship, expecting to gain acceptance into the new Jerusalem mentioned in Revelation 21:10, which is described as the holy city descending from heaven.
There is a profound sense of spiritual enthusiasm that accompanies each visit to the church, evoking a desire to return again and again. This sentiment is reflected in the prophetic words of King David in Psalm 122:1-2: I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. In fact, King David expressed a longing to dwell permanently in the house of the Lord, as recorded in Psalm 27:4: One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.”
The triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem was not motivated by a desire to acquire the physical temple’s assets, but rather symbolized his victorious entry into the heavenly Jerusalem, as detailed in Mark 14:58, Hebrews 8:2, 9:11, and 9:24.
Regrettably, the spiritual significance of the temple was lost among the people. By the time of Jesus, it had transformed into more of a tourist destination and business hub. Many of the grand churches that exist today similarly serve as tourist attractions, rather than as places of worship or opportunities to connect with God. Individuals frequent these locations more for the purpose of capturing photos to post/upload on social media than for spiritual nourishment.
Similar to the commercialisation of the modern-day tourism industry, the temple had also become a marketplace for goods and (currency exchange) services. The people of the time had developed an association between the temple and commerce, with buying and selling occupying their thoughts. It was this loss of reverence and focus on materialism that compelled Jesus to purify the temple.
Matthew 20:17-19 recounts a subtle yet critical warning from Jesus to his disciples regarding their upcoming trip to Jerusalem and the events that would unfold there – His sacrificial death (followed by resurrection). It is clear that Jesus sought to differentiate their purpose from that of other visitors to the temple. He intended to convey to them that unlike many others they were not simply embarking on a holiday excursion, but rather they were journeying to the temple with a clear purpose, to seek forgiveness for their sins. His message to them should have been unequivocal: ‘You are unique. Your purpose in visiting the temple is to absolve yourself of sins. Once you have achieved this, you will emerge as a renewed creation, much like how I will rise from the dead on the third day.’
As children of God, we are uniquely set apart. Saint Peter affirms this in 1 Peter 2:9, where he proclaims that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s very own. Our purpose in this elevated position is to proclaim Jesus’ salvific works and to celebrate the wondrous light that He has brought us into, emerging from darkness.
Our distinction is significant, as we do not attend church as tourists or casual observers. Instead, we approach the church with a humble heart, seeking solace and comfort from the divine. As we lift up our eyes unto the holy altar, we often shed tears, which are then lovingly wiped away by the Lord’s blessings (see Psalm 121:1). It should not be our intention to conduct transactions or engage in worldly pursuits within the church’s walls. Rather, we come to surrender ourselves to the Lord, and in so doing, we are granted new life and a new heart. These are privileges that are reserved for the unique and different children of God.
In contrast to the rampant commerce, trade, and corruption in the temple, there existed a minority group that lamented over the plight of Jerusalem. Among them were prophetic voices that offered consolation to the rest. For instance, Asaph prophesied in Psalm 74:12: Yet God my King is from old, working salvation in the earth. The Palm Sunday chants of the Orthodox Church reflect this as: “Blessed is the one who comes as the King of Israel,” Likewise, Zechariah 9:9 prophesied Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your King comes to you; triumphant and victorious is He, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Jesus’ teachings and actions provide guidance on how to overcome challenging situations, even those that may appear insurmountable. The primary and core attribute in this process is humility. Despite being divine, Jesus displayed this quality. His triumph over Satan was achieved through the power of his humility. His riding on the donkey/colt helps us to learn to be humble to win others. Only humility can help defeat the devil. As Psalm 20:7 and Psalm 33:17 state, some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God, it is the humble submission to the almighty that leads us to spiritual triumph.
The gathering of people was observed to be emotive, evincing cries and shouts of “Hosanna”- a word denoting a plea for divine salvation. Moreover, it is a phrase used as an expression of reverence and adoration, for God alone is worthy of such acclamation (Revelation 5:11-12).
The liturgical tradition of the Orthodox church is characterised by the inclusion of supplications for mercy and absolution from sin, serving as a means of ensuring the efficacy of our prayers. Indeed, the attainment of divine acceptance for any form of petition or offering is contingent upon the prior reception of divine forgiveness for transgressions. Therefore, it behooves the faithful to beseech the Lord for deliverance from sin, in a manner akin to the outcry of the people who witnessed the presence of the Lord in the temple.
Psalm 34:15 says The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. Jesus observed the humble nature of those who were unable to provide anything beyond their own garments to welcome him. They could not even afford buying flowers to greet him. Instead, they improvised by cutting branches from trees and laying them on the path to honour him. In all these, Jesus recognised the purity of their hearts as he rode on a donkey.
At the foothills of Jerusalem (temple), a gathering of individuals can be observed, bearing the weight of life’s challenges and beset with broken spirits, imploring “Hosanna” in prayer, as soon as they see Jesus. These individuals, burdened with poverty, sought to obtain absolution for their transgressions through sacrificial offerings, but were hindered by the exorbitant prices set by the temple’s officials. Jesus, upon witnessing the distress of these destitute individuals, felt compassion and empathy for their plight, and was forced to take decisive action in response.
Jesus entered the temple and began to disrupt the activities of those who were conducting financial transactions, overturning their tables and chairs. According to the Old Testament practice outlined in Leviticus 5:5-7, sheep and goat were offered as a sacrifice for the redemption of sin, and those who were economically challenged had the option to offer turtle doves instead. However, within the temple’s confines, even the cost of doves was beyond the reach of the economically challenged class, leading them to tears as they were unable to obtain forgiveness for their transgressions. The blind and the lame, who lacked the means to earn income and were reliant on the kindness of others, were similarly unable to afford doves. And, the children probably had no role whatsoever in the worship. Jesus then proceeded to expel all individuals engaged in commercial activities within the temple’s confines. In accordance with Scripture (Isaiah 56:7), Jesus proclaimed, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.
Psalm 100:2 encourages the faithful to approach the Lord in worship with a joyful heart and a song on their lips. This form of worship is founded upon the faith that God is able to forgive our sins, lifting the weight of guilt and heartache from our souls. As we depart from the Church, after worship, we are filled with a sense of joy and freedom, unencumbered by our past transgressions. This experience moves us to sing and exalt the Lord, in accordance with Psalm 96:1, which instructs us to offer new songs of praise and thanksgiving, sharing God’s salvation and grace each day.
According to the Gospel, immediately following Jesus’ cleansing of the temple, the blind and the lame approached him and were instantly healed. In addition, many children came to Jesus and expressed their devotion through singing ‘Hosanna to the Lord’. The atmosphere in the temple was transformed into one of spiritual peace, joy, and happiness, as people experienced a spiritual renewal. This was a unique occurrence, as there was no business or talk of money, and the focus was solely on Jesus and Holy Worship.
This transformative power of Jesus is profound and immediate, as the devil is cast out from our lives and thoughts of greed, money, and flesh dissipate. Our bodies become transformed into the temple of God, and we are filled with an intense desire to worship the Lord. This devotion to Jesus is unwavering, and we will not be able to resist the desire to remain in his presence forever. This level of devotion is akin to that of a bride towards her groom, as she continuously clings to him.
To summarize, Palm Sunday represents a significant occasion for individuals to experience deliverance from sins and reconnect with God. The virtue of humility is expected to be demonstrated in our church life and interpersonal relationships. It is important to approach our worship and spiritual practices with humility, refraining from incorporating materialistic tendencies. We should instead offer our devotion to the Lord with a pure and sincere heart.
May Almighty God bless us.
+Palm Sunday 2023
Fr Dr Saji K Mathew 