https://app.dropwave.io/episode/acaea8c3-f0a6-4a51-9cbe-5cbfa7e41466/palmarum-palm-sunday-ad-2026.mp3

Could you just imagine a conquering hero riding through the streets of the city on a child’s tricycle? It would be preposterous. The conquering hero would be a laughingstock. It would not instill fear in the hearts of the enemy. It would not instill confidence in crowds. No, one would expect the conquering hero to ride in a military vehicle. One would expect the hero to ride in surrounded by battle hardened troops in full regalia carrying weapons of war.

The image of Christ, the conquering hero riding through the streets on a donkey is just as preposterous. He is not surrounded by battle hardened troops, but fishermen, tax collectors, women, and children. He is surrounded by sinners. The image of Christ on a donkey does not instill fear in the heart of the enemy. It emboldens him. He imagines the end of the battle is near and he, not Christ will be the victor.

It would be like a motorcycle gang all riding vespas and wearing polo shirts with sweaters wrapped around their shoulders. It would strike fear in no one. It would command the respect of no one. It would impress no one. It would give the impression that this is no hero at all. It would give the impression that this foe is easily conquered. Yet, Christ rides in on a donkey.

The Scriptures foretell this very entrance. They foretell the king of kings riding on a donkey. The king who has come to die. Holy Week begins the same way we begin Advent. This is the Kingdom of Heaven in our midst. The Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world does so without complaint. He does so out of love for sinners. It is the very image of humility.

Throughout the Old Testament we see a shadowy image of Christ. Here we see Him in perfect clarity. We see Christ in Abraham and Isaac when he saddles his donkey and takes his son, his only son, the son whom he loves to be sacrificed. We see Jonah in the belly of the leviathan for 3 days, coming forth to offer mercy and forgiveness to the vilest nation. We see the children of Israel fed with the bread from heaven for 40 years as they wander in the wilderness. We see Christ in the sacrifices offered for the forgiveness of sins year after year. We see Christ in the Passover, the children of Israel marked safe by the blood of the lamb. The steadfast love of God endures forever throughout the Psalms as the Lord becomes my salvation. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.

Paul Gerhardt (1607‒76) wrote our HOD during the 30 Years War 1618-48 (upwards of 8 million casualties). He was 11 years old when the war began and 41 when it ended. Around this same time, there was an outbreak of the plague in Europe. Gerhardt was surrounded by suffering and profound loss. So, he turned to the only thing that truly provides comfort in such times: He turned to Christ – the apostles teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers.

Let’s take a closer look at our hymn. The original version in The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) has ten verses. The Lutheran Service Book (LSB) has reduced it to four. We cannot say enough about the beauty and richness of our Lutheran hymnody.

A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, The guilt of sinners bearing And, laden with the sins of earth, None else the burden sharing; Goes patient on, grows weak and faint, To slaughter led without complaint, That spotless life to offer, He bears the stripes, the wounds, the lies, The mockery, and yet replies, “All this I gladly suffer.”

This is the beauty of the Gospel. Our salvation comes at a great cost. Only, the cost was paid in full by Jesus. He bears the guilt of your sins on the cross. He does so without complaint. Motivated by His great love for you He goes to the cross.

We see the shadowy image of this sacrifice in Abraham and Isaac. They both go to the place of sacrifice without complaint. They both go forth to the sacrifice in full confidence that the Lord will provide. Abraham tells his servants, “The boy and I will go to the sacrifice and we will return.” Oh, that we would have this same faith. Oh, that we would walk in faith knowing that the Lord would provide. Oh, that we would be confident that all things work together for good, for those who love the Lord.

This Lamb is Christ, the soul’s great friend, The Lamb of God, our Saviour, Whom God the Father chose to send To gain for us His favour “Go forth, My Son,” the Father said, “And free My children from their dread Of guilt and condemnation. The wrath and stripes are hard to bear, But by Your passion they will share The fruit of Your salvation.”

We cannot imagine what it was like for Christ to bear the sins of the world. We cannot imagine what it was like for Christ to bear the wrath and stripes. Yet, He did so without complaint to earn salvation for you. As we look at ourselves this is even harder to comprehend. When we suffer anything, we are quick to complain. Even when we suffer because of our own sins, we are quick to grumble. But Christ goes to the cross having committed no sins. He goes to the cross for you.

When we suffer, we are the first to look for blame. We want to find fault in everyone else but us. It was medical malpractice. I received poor council from my lawyers. I got bad advice from my friends. The other guy made me so angry I couldn’t help myself. It was the other persons fault for wearing revealing clothes. I wouldn’t be this way if I hadn’t suffered trauma as a child.

“Yes, Father, yes, most willingly I’ll bear what You command Me. My will conforms to Your decree, I’ll do what You have asked Me.” O wondrous Love, what have You done! The Father offers up His Son, Desiring our salvation. O Love, how strong You are to save! You lay the One into the grave Who built the earth’s foundation.

When we read the account of Abraham offering up his son, his only son, the son whom he loves, Isaac we marvel at the faith and obedience of Abraham. We marvel at the obedience of Isaac. God did not, in fact, have Abraham sacrifice his son. God the Father gave us a picture of Himself and His only Son Christ. Only He did not stay the hand of the executioner at the last moment. God offered up His Son for you.

It is truly a wonderous love that we behold in Christ. It is truly a wonderous love that we behold in the Father. The creator of the universe laying down His life for you.

Lord, when Your glory I shall see And taste Your kingdom’s pleasure, Your blood my royal robe shall be, My joy beyond all measure! When I appear before Your throne, Your righteousness shall be my crown; With these I need not hide me. And there, in garments richly wrought, As Your own bride shall we be brought To stand in joy beside You.

The Scriptures are filled with a forensic language. When our last hour comes, we will stand before the judgment seat of God. We will be called to give an account of every sin. Only this is not something that should strike fear in our hearts. It should fill us with comfort. For when this hour comes, Christ takes our place. Every sin atoned for. All our debt paid.

Christ is declared guilty in our stead and we are declared innocent. It is as if we went to the cross ourselves to pay for our sins. Only, it was not us but Christ. We are adorned with the righteousness of Christ. Today, God looked at Olivia and declared: “This one is mine! I died and rose again for her sins!” The name of God is written on her forehead and upon her heart. Her name is written in the Lamb’s Book of life. Likewise, Tristan confirms this day what we read in Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This faith is begun in Olivia through the Holy Spirit and confirmed in Tristan this day. We rejoice with them both.