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Today is Palm Sunday, a day of triumph for most. People lined the road leading into Jerusalem with palm branches, a symbol of honor. The people recognize Jesus as their King, in Hebrew – the Messiah, in Greek – the Christ.

The Prophet Zechariah anticipated this day.

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
Triumphant and victorious,
Humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The people celebrate with great enthusiasm. As Jesus makes his way toward the city, people begin crowding the side of the road. They cry, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

This show of enthusiasm and zeal gives expression to the hope that has lived in their hearts for years. They long for the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel. They have lived too long under the oppressive yoke of a foreign power. They yearn for their King.

Indeed, many of the people believe that the coming of the Messiah will initiate a divine intervention of great and glorious violence. When the Messiah comes he will be accompanied by legions and legions of angels. The sky will open up and heavenly warriors will descend to destroy armies that would defy the authority of the Messiah.

On this day they celebrate their Savior.

This is the Triumphal Entry seen from the perspective of the people. But Jesus perceives something quite different. He is their Messiah, true. But he does not come with a legion of angels to confront the armies of Rome. He is their Salvation, true. But he does not come to rescue the people from their troubles.

King Jesus comes to empower his people from the inside out. He rescues no one. By the end of the week, by Good Friday, King Jesus will be hanging on a cross. It will appear to the people of Jerusalem that he is the one in need of rescuing.

His goal is not to save Jerusalem and destroy Rome. He comes to save Jerusalem, so that in saving Jerusalem, he may also save Rome. He comes to be the savior of the world. His goal is the healing of the nations.

This is the depth of God’s love revealed in Holy Week. On Maundy Thursday the power of God will be revealed, not in the form of a legion of warrior angels descending with swords afl ame, but in a simple meal shared among friends in a spirit of love. “Do this,” Jesus said, “In remembrance of me.”

Salvation comes to the nations as we learn to be for one another, who Jesus is for us: He who comes among us as one who serves.