Most people and preachers catch the contextual point the Gospels make at Palm Sunday, when Jesus rides a donkey, from Zechariah 9. It's right there on the surface: Jesus is the King of verse 9.
It's common to say those shouting "Hosanna" were expecting a military Messiah to drive out Rome, and I believe it. It's an important warning to those who trust in earthly rulers to save, in every time.
But it's very UNcommon to hear an explanation of why they shouldn't expect Jesus to drive out Rome, given Zechariah 9:11-17. Note all the military victory references, there! (I think the answer lies in the multiple time-horizons of prophecy - the text doesn't always refer to the same event in the same epoch, even in the same chapter or verse, something the post- and pre-mil positions can't often grasp, and don't deal well with.)
Less obvious than Zechariah 9, but just as important, is Jesus' response to the Pharisees, when they demand He silence His shouting followers: "If these were silent, the very stones would cry out." Often we think Jesus means all creation will praise Him, even if the Pharisees won't. This is true, but not the point of the text.
Jesus here alludes to Habakkuk 2:11, "the stone will cry out from the wall," and its context. "Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house.... Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity!" This is exactly what the temple leaders Jesus confronted were doing. It's fascinating the context of the chapter includes the famous verse, the just shall live by faith," contrasted with the wicked's greed, indulgence, and oppression. Instead of indulging themselves by politically allying with the pagan Roman oppressors (the Sadducees), the faithful were called to wait on the Lord and live by faith (Hab. 2:4), not taking up arms.
So Palm Sunday is
- acclaiming the coming King
- accepting the right Lamb for your Passover atonement (another post)
Yes.
But it is also prophetic confrontation of governmental/national sin as a nation.
Jesus unleashes a veritable flood of Scripture, rich in context, at this event (not only King, but Prophet and Priest).
- My house shall be called a house of prayer - read all of Isaiah 56.
- A den of robbers! - read all of Jeremiah 7.
- Hosanna! (Save, please!) - read Psalm 118:19-27.
This Prophetic breakout continues during holy week in Jesus' teachings...
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