Triumphant Entry of Christ into Jerusalem
The Armenian Church along with other Christian Churches celebrate “Dzaghgazart” Palm Sunday. This victorious but humble entry to Jerusalem has been recorded in all the four Holy Gospels.
“Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was…” Mark 11v7-11
This Sunday 24th March, the Armenian Church has a tradition of distributing crosses made of palm leaves and olive branches. It is a lovely tradition handed over down the centuries.
We see in this wonderful passage, a fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah 9 v 9 of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem:
- Christ’s Divine nature … finding the donkey as it was described to the disciples
- Christ’s Humility …. Powerful…yet riding a donkey… no red carpet… just garments…
- Approachable and available Christ…
- Christ’s love and Compassion …. Weeping over the oppressed people of Jerusalem.
- Christ’s Justice … His strong rebuke on those who exploit the helpless and needy.
- Christ’s simple life style
- Bringing hope to the hopeless
May be we all need to take the example of Christ our Lord seriously ….