Palm Sunday / Sunday of the Passion “Palmarum” (One Year Lectionary)

Matthew 21:1–9 (Palm Sunday Procession)
     or John 12:12–19 (Palm Sunday Procession)
Zechariah 9:9–12
Psalm 118:19-29
     or Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5–11
Matthew 26:1—27:66
     or Matthew 27:11–54

The Cross and Passion of Our Lord Are the Hour of His Glory

“Behold, your King is coming to you . . . humble and mounted on a donkey” (Zech. 9:9–12; Mt. 21:1–9). Our Lord rides in this humble fashion because He is entering Jerusalem to humble Himself even to the point of death on a cross (Phil. 2:5–11). His kingly crown will not be made of gold but of thorns, the sign of sin’s curse. For His royal reign is displayed in bearing this curse for His people, saving us from our enemies by sacrificing His own life. The sinless One takes the place of the sinner so that the sinner can be freed and bear the name “Barabbas,” “son of the Father” (Matthew 26 and 27). It is at the name of this exalted Savior, Jesus, that we bow in humble faith. With the centurion who declared, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Mt. 27:54), we are also given to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11).