The Triumphal Entry Series

Where was the Kidron Valley where the priest would get the lamb? It was near the Mount of Olives, near Bethany. Jesus will enter the city through the eastern Gate. Jesus probably enters Jerusalem right after the Passover Lamb enters the city. This might explain why the crowd is so thick. They were there to welcome the Passover Lamb. Many of you know that Jesus is called the Lamb of God. You get the rich symbolism?

ADVENTUS

Now ancient readers of this passage would have also associated the Triumphal Entry with something from Roman culture called the Adventus. It is a Latin word that means coming. It is where we get the word “advent” from. The adventus was when a conquering king entered a town to conquer.

Hadrian was Roman emperor born about 50 years after this. Hadrian threw down a Jewish revolt in Jerusalem and built a temple to Jupiter on site of the Jewish temple. He launched one such adventus between 129-130 AD and here is what a Roman historian wrote about Hadrian’s adventus.

“The adventus was the occasion for a celebration—and more. Typically, a city’s populace, led by the municipal senate and dignitaries, issued forth from the gates to greet the emperor and conduct him into the city, waving palm branches, singing his praises in hymns and sacrificing for his well-being. For the arrival, the emperor left his wagon, donned ceremonial armor and mounted a beautiful white horse, appearing as a victorious military leader. After this entry into the city, orators would step forward to address the emperor and the gathered throngs, speaking of the devotion and admiration the emperor inspired among the people . . . “ (qtd from Steve Carr sermon given in 2003)

Jesus plays the antithesis of the conquering emperor and enters in on a donkey. It is a sign of humility and that he comes not as a conqueror but as a servant.

LULAV

As Jesus enters on the donkey, it says they cut palm branches and laid them down. ‘Lulav’ is Hebrew for palm tree. It’s in the shape of a scepter, a symbol of sovereignty. Leviticus 23:40 commanded the Jews to uses the lulav in their prayer meetings around the celebration of Sukkot.

Lulav shaking was regulated by the Roman government because of its symbolism. It had become a sign of Jewish nationalism. Its MODERN DAY EQUIVALENT- would be the waving of the American flag. So this parade is not just in honor of Jesus but in a sense a 4th of July, Independence day celebration. The national fever is at a high pitch.

Not only did they waive the palm branches the crowds sang. They sang what is known as the Halel. The Halel was the name given to the group of Psalms 113-118. Halel means “praise.” [Where we get “Hallelujah”- praise to Yah – God or Jehovah]

Parents would sing the Halel with their children before Passover. People would shout, “Blessed is he . . .” When the high priest reentered the city

At the domestic celebration of the Passover, Psalms 113 and 114 would be sung before the meal, and Psalms 115 -118 after it, when the fourth cup had been filled. Psalm 118, at least, was probably the hymn sung by Jesus and His disciples in the upper room at their Passover supper. The Halel was always sung at Passover.