Palm Sunday

The Triumphal Entry of the Lord Jesus Christ happened on the Sunday before His Crucifixion on Friday. That is why this occasion has been called Palm Sunday. This event is recorded in all the four Gospels (Mark 11:1-10, Matt 21:1-9, Luke 19:29-40, John 12:12-19). Here is an interwoven harmony of all four accounts:

And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he (Jesus) sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt tied with her, whereon yet never man sat; loose him (them), and bring him (them) hither unto me. And if any man say aught unto you, Why do ye this? [or] ask you, Why do ye loose him? say ye that the Lord hath need of him (them); and straightway he will send him (them) hither. And they (the disciples) that were sent, went their way, and did as Jesus commanded them, and found, even as he had said unto them, the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them— the owners thereof—that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded, The Lord hath need of him: and they let them go. And they brought the ass, and the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him (the colt) (them), and set Jesus thereon; and he sat upon him [the colt]. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, as it is written, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Fear not: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And many (a very great multitude) spread their garments (clothes) in the way: and others cut down branches off the palm trees, and strawed them in the way. And they went forth to meet him. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples that went before, and they that followed, cried [and] began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is he—the King of Israel—that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Jesus now presented Himself openly and officially as Israel’s promised Messiah. In lowliness, the King of Israel rode into His city on a young male donkey (on which no one rode before) in fulfilment of the royal messianic prophecy of Zech 9:9. Many went out to greet Him paving His way with their garments and palm branches, and shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he—the King of Israel—that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” The Hebrew word— Hosanna—means “Save now” or “Please save” (cf 2 Sam 14:4, Ps 118:25). All this happened on Sunday. That is why today this event is commemorated in the church as Palm Sunday—the first day of the passion week (cf John 12:1).

The Pharisees became very disturbed by all the open and loud cries of the people calling Jesus “King.” They were probably afraid that the Romans would interpret all this as a sign of revolt. As Jewish leaders, their necks were on the line. If Jesus were arrested, they risked being arrested too. So they quickly told Jesus to rebuke His disciples. Jesus answered them, “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” No one can stop the proclamation of the truth that Jesus saves. Hosanna reminds us of Matt 1:21, “thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The triumphal message of Palm Sunday is “Jesus, Hosanna,” “O Saviour, save now!”

Zech 9:9 describes the Messianic King as being “just” and “lowly,” and bringing “salvation.” Salvation will come by means of His righteousness (active obedience), and humiliation (passive obedience). His triumphal entry marks His triumph in life in obtaining righteousness for His people, and His subsequent triumph in death in redeeming them from the penalty of sin. The Jews failed to understand this. When they cried Hosanna, they were calling on Jesus to save them from Roman bondage. They had expected Him to lead an armed revolt against Rome. This Jesus would do in due season according to God’s timetable. His entrance into Jerusalem this time was to obtain spiritual salvation for His people, and not physical deliverance. It is thus no wonder that the Jews, seeing Jesus their King doing nothing in terms of leading them to battle, turned their Hosannas on Sunday to “Crucify Him, Crucify Him” on Friday as we shall soon read. Jesus would save Israel from her enemies, but it would not be done this time, but the next time.

Therefore, Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem is prophetically significant not only in terms of fulfilment, but also prediction. His Triumphal Entry points to His Triumphal Return. Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem the first time on a young male donkey as the Lamb of God to face His Cross. But when He comes the second time, He will ride into Jerusalem on a white horse, now as the Lion from the tribe of Judah to take His Crown (Rev 19:11).

Easter Sunrise Service @ Labrador Park

Once a year, we as a church worship outdoors in commemoration of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Since 2004, we have been worshipping the Lord and remembering His resurrection on Easter Sunday at the sylvan and scenic grounds of Labrador Park.

On Easter Sunday, we seek the Lord early in the morning like the disciples 2000 years ago who got up “very early in the morning the first day of the week … at the rising of the sun”. When they reached the tomb, the angel told them the good news, “Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.” (Mark 16:2, 6).

The Easter Sunrise Service is also a baptismal service. Trusting in God’s covenant promises to the Christian family, three newborn will be offered to the Lord by their parents through water baptism. By faith, these Christian parents seek God’s grace and favour to be upon their children praying that they will grow up to know and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. Five adults will confess their faith publicly and be baptised. Six will reaffirm their faith. These are those who have been baptised as infants and now that they have reached the age of 13, they want to personally and publicly confess their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There are 18 who will transfer their membership to True Life, and we welcome them into our fellowship.

Just as Jesus prepared breakfast for His disciples by the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection (John 21:9, 12), so will we also have breakfast together after the service, and spend a joyful time fellowshipping with one another and enjoying one another’s company.

So, make sure you go to bed early on Saturday so that you will be up and about early on Sunday morning for the Sunrise or rather Son-Rise Service. Bring your chairs and mats, and make yourself comfortable. Don’t miss the Lord’s blessing on this special day!

New Life Orphanage in Yangon

Praise the Lord for the two new brick buildings—one for the boys and the other for the girls—which are up and ready for use. They cost a total of about $35,000, and all paid for by funds from USA and Singapore. With these two handsome buildings (one painted pink, the other green), and a proper roof, the children should be able to dwell more safely and comfortably. See photos at the back page (see them in colour at our website, www.febc.edu.sg).

Elder John Leong and his team from Tabernacle BPC have just completed conducting a Daily Vacation Bible School for the children at the orphanage, March 24-31. More reports to follow. JK

Two New Dormitory Buildings of New Life Orphanage in Myanmar