PALM SUNDAY

Today, the Armenian Church celebrates Palm Sunday, which commemorates the triumphal entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. All four Evangelists (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-38, and John 12:12-18) write about this significant event.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, like all believers of his time, went to Jerusalem as a pilgrim to participate in the Easter celebration. However, the difference was that he went as a “New Passover Lamb” to sacrifice his life on the Cross and free humanity from the captivity of sin through the shedding of his life-giving blood. He entered Jerusalem as the “Lamb of God,” who, through the sacrifice of his person, would tear the veil of sin between man and God and open the doors of the kingdom leading to God.

The people expected the glorious entry of the son of David into Jerusalem, perhaps with a presentable army and princely glory. However, a completely different scene unfolded before their eyes. Jesus humbly sat on a donkey and entered the holy city with his disciples and many people who joyfully spread their garments on the road for the Lord to pass over them. Some also praised the Lord with palm and olive branches in their hands and shouted: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9).

The multitude of people rightly welcomed Him as the victorious King in whose person God’s promises would be fulfilled. However, they needed a better understanding of the reign and victory of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus defeated death by the sacrifice of the Cross rather than fighting with the Roman soldiers. This greatest mystery is still hard to understand for many. The Savior and King of the world, the incarnate Son of God, bowed down and died a humiliating death on a block of wood, like the lowliest of the lowly, to raise man to the incomparable heights of heaven and give him the joy of eternal life with His miraculous Resurrection.

Palm Sunday is an invitation to meet the Heavenly King, who comes to do the Father’s will and free us from the darkness of sin and the curse of death. Today, the Savior entering the Jerusalem of our hearts comes to reign in our hearts and dispel our fears and doubts. Let us accept Him in our hearts and remain faithful to Him, who did not even spare His life for us. Let us glorify our Lord Jesus Christ with heartfelt prayer: “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
Sunday, March 24, 2024