March 29, 2026, Palm Sunday: Paradoxical Jesus

Old Testament Reading:  Zechariah 9: 9-10 (page 824)
​The Gospel: Mark 11: 1-11 (page 879)

A paradox is something unexpected, something puzzling that we have to figure out, something that seems contradictory but often proves true.

Much of what Jesus did and said was paradoxical to the people at the time, and even to many today, and his entry into Jerusalem during the week of Passover, on what we now refer to as Palm Sunday, is a good example of a paradox. 

Let’s break it down. 

During Passover week in Jesus’ time it was common for the Romans to assert their authority over the Jews by a show of power. Think military parade where the Roman Governor and powerful, wealthy Roman citizens and soldiers would parade through town, riding on horses as a show of strength during the Jewish holiday. It was a reminder to the Jews that they were living under Roman occupation. 

Parades to show power were common but, if a prince wanted to show peaceful intentions, he would ride into the city on a colt or donkey. A colt that had never been ridden upon was particularly valued for parades or ceremonies. This would change the focus of the parade from one of a show of power to a more humble focus on peace. 

It was common for Jews to walk into Jerusalem during Passover Week and that is what would have been expected of Jesus too, after all, he walked everywhere. But this particular Passover Week, he knew what was coming. He knew how the week would end, and he needed to change things up, to wake the people up. So Jesus planned his whole entry into Jerusalem to get people’s attention and to show, once again, how different he was from traditional rulers.

So when he and his disciples were near the Mount of Olives, he shared his plan. He asked a pair of his disciples to go ahead of them and told them exactly where to find a colt that had not been ridden before,the animal that signaled peace, to untie it and to explain when asked, that, “The Lord needs it and will send it back immediately.” The pair goes ahead and finds everything as Jesus had explained it even down to bystanders asking why they were presumably stealing the colt. 

They return to Jesus with the colt and the disciples make a makeshift saddle out of their cloaks for Jesus to ride upon. Jesus riding the colt claims a higher status than the normal pilgrims walking to Jerusalem for the Passover, much like the Roman authorities or royalty but it also signaled a peaceful entry, unlike the Roman authorities. This provides a paradox - why would Jesus, who is always humble, make himself look like a governor or royalty, even if a peaceful one? 

The people certainly treated him like royalty as they threw their cloaks and leafy branches to the ground for Jesus’ colt to walk upon as they loudly yelled “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!”

How did they even know to greet Jesus in this way? Might these have been some of the many recipients of Jesus’ miracles? Did they come here cured of blindness, leprosy or other illnesses? Did Jesus forgive them for their sins of embezzlement or prostitution? Could they have been some of the 5000 fed by the miracle of the loaves and fishes? Or maybe they just heard the stories from the people who experienced these miracles and believed. Either way, they knew who Jesus was and they celebrated him, like royalty, but not like an oppressive ruler.

And yet remember, Jesus knows what is to come. He knows that by the end of this week he will have celebrated a meal with his closest friends, be betrayed by one of them, tried and sent to his death on a cross BEFORE he can truly show he is the son of God by fulfilling the scriptures and rising again. 

So it is a paradox for us that Jesus chose to look like royalty by riding a colt into Jerusalem in a victory style parade, even though he chose the humble, peaceful version. 

But it was not a paradox to Jesus, the edgewalker who walks along the edges of what society expects forever pushing the boundaries and opening doors to invite those in whom society wants to push out, who gives a hand up to those in need rather than ignoring or even harming them. 

Jesus knew exactly what he was doing as is clearly shown in his planning. He wanted to show a contrast from the powers that be. He could look a bit like them in the way he entered Jerusalem, but that was just to draw the people’s attention to show the way a leader should always behave: with humility and peace. The people already knew that Jesus has helped, has cured, has forgiven, has taught even the least among them already. That is why they treat him like royalty, for his peace, kindness, and humility. 

Notice he does not give a triumphant speech when he enters Jerusalem. He gets to the Temple, looks around and quickly leaves for Bethany with his twelve disciples. 

Kind of anticlimactic isn’t it? 

That was Jesus’ plan. He had a huge audience, shouldn’t he have given a motivational speech or cured more people? No, he has already taught and cured the people, welcomed, fed and included ALL kinds of people. It was late and he was likely tired. He needed rest and by leaving, he reminded them and all of us that rest is important and huge parades just to feed the egos of those in charge are not important. 

What Jesus was doing was once again disrupting the traditional way of doing things. He was starting a revolution unarmed and riding on a colt. His revolution was one of peace, inclusion, help and hope. One that did not blame, but offered another way. No wonder the people yelled Hosanna much like we shout Alleluia on Easter. But he did not need to give them a motivational speech to help them believe. They had already learned his lessons, seen his miracles. They believed in this humble ruler who saw them as they were and loved them despite or even because of all their faults, inspiring them to do better and to pass that love onto others in need whether they be a neighbor or an enemy.

They remembered Zechariah’s words, “Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations.”

Peace, that is what Jesus brings. To bring peace, one needs rest and that is what Jesus did that night - he went to rest. He knew he had a tough week ahead of him. 

Imagine how those same people felt five days later when that humble, kind and peaceful leader was put to death unjustly? 

Imagine how surprised they were when they heard he had risen again? It might take a while to sink in, but they would look back on that parade where Jesus rode the colt and then left and realize they had been in the presence of God. 

And they would know that God is not like other rulers. It is not about power; it is not about glory; it is not about money; it is not about blaming others; it is about love in action; it is about caring for all; it is about loving all; it is about peace. 

Don’t we still see paradoxes at times in our own world where rulers who are supposed to help the people, to seek peace, to cooperate, to protect, seem to want instead to gain more power for themselves or a chosen few, to show their military might, to oppress or blame, rather than help, to lead with hate rather than love?

As followers of Jesus we are called to not just sit here on a Sunday morning but to walk out into the world putting Jesus’ teachings into action. We need to help ourselves first, rooting out the malice and bitterness, the places where we are part of the problem then, and only then, can we help the oppressed, seek justice,  love kindness, and lead with love always even to those who dislike or hate us. 

And then we need to rest. This is the way of Jesus. That is the revolution that he started: one of love and peace rather than war and vengeance. This is the revolution that we need to continue: the paradox of being a true follower of Jesus. Amen. 

Pastor Michelle Fountain

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