One More Thing with Pastor Tim Burchill 03.10.2025

What Was the Crowd Celebrating
on Palm Sunday?

I found this on the internet while working on last Sunday’s sermon. 
I was looking for an explanation as to why there was such a large crowd, and what they might have been celebrating as Jesus rode into the city.  I came across this list which feels a little like a "Greatest Hits of Jesus’ Ministry".  I share it with you today for your inspiration and edification.  Enjoy!

1. His Teachings of the Kingdom – Jesus proclaimed the arrival of God's kingdom, offering a vision of justice, mercy, and grace that turned the world’s values upside down (Luke 4:18-19, Matthew 5-7).
2. His Miracles of Compassion – From healing the sick to feeding the hungry, Jesus demonstrated God’s love in tangible ways, showing that the kingdom is for the broken and the outcast (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 5:21-43).
3. His Authority Over Nature and Spirits – Calming storms, casting out demons, and walking on water were signs that Jesus had divine power over creation and the spiritual realm (Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:26-39).
4. His Radical Inclusion – Jesus welcomed tax collectors, sinners, Samaritans, women, and the marginalized, revealing that God’s grace knows no boundaries (Luke 19:1-10, John 4:1-42).
5. His Forgiveness and Restoration – He did not just heal physically; he restored people spiritually, offering forgiveness and new life, even to those society had condemned (John 8:1-11, Mark 2:1-12).
6. His Challenge to Religious Hypocrisy – Jesus boldly confronted the self-righteous and legalistic systems that burdened people, calling for a faith marked by love and humility (Matthew 23, Luke 11:37-54).
7. His Love for His Disciples – He patiently taught and guided his followers, preparing them to carry on his mission, even washing their feet as an example of servanthood (John 13:1-17).
8. His Compassion for the Lost – Whether through the parables of the prodigal son or the lost sheep, Jesus constantly revealed God’s relentless pursuit of sinners (Luke 15).
9. His Identity as the Messiah – Through his words and actions, he revealed himself as the promised one who came to save and redeem, fulfilling the prophecies of old (Matthew 16:16, Luke 24:27).
10. His Willingness to Suffer for Us – Even as the crowd cheered, we celebrate his resolve to journey toward the cross, where he would give himself for the salvation of the world (Luke 9:51, John 10:11).
    
    I would add this to the list:
11. His love for you and me, despite how many times we’ve disappointed him or let him down.  Jesus is permanently and eternally committed to us whether we have wavered in our commitment to him.  That in itself is parade-worthy.