Psalm 31:9–16; Philippians 2:5–11; Matthew 21:1–11
Introduction
The celebration of Palm Sunday always reminds me of a crowd that once shouted “Hosanna! Hosanna!! Hosanna!!!” with palm branches raised high and clothes laid on the ground. A few days later, similar voices cried, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!! Crucify Him!!!” The same city that celebrated the healer, prophet, teacher, raiser of the dead, exorcist, and king later rejected Him in suffering and pain, but He endured.
This paradox actually lies at the heart of the Christian faith. We are taught that victory does not bypass suffering, but it passes through it to endure. A neighbor in Ghana had this written on his door, "No pain, no gain; no cross, no crown." This must be on the mind of every Christian to endure through hardships with diligence for the victorious crown.
Being mindful of the world today, this is a place that equates victory with comfort and success. The Bible presents a radically different vision to us. The path to glory is marked by tears, humility, and endurance. Do not be deceived into choosing the comfort, praise, or popular path this world offers, for God cares about the process as much as the end. With God, "the end DOESN'T justify the means." (cf. Matt. 7:13,14; Matt. 11:29,30)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer's statement comes to mind, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him to come and die.” Yet in that death, whether literal or metaphorical, there is victory.
The Presbyterian Catechism response to the question, "What do you consider to be the benefit of His death?"
"Because my sins have caused great suffering and painful death of my Lord Jesus, I should no longer delight in sin, but to denounce and abhor it, and dedicate my whole life to the service of my Lord and Saviour; and seek to remain His forever; ready to suffer and die for His glory, that at the point of death, I will with joy and satisfaction say; Lord Jesus, for you I live, for you I suffer, and for you I die. Whether I live or I die, I am yours. O, Lord Jesus, grant me eternal rest. Amen."
This is one of the major pledges of every Presbyterian. This is in acknowledgement that victory comes through suffering and endurance.
Before engaging the texts, let us discuss the theological weight of the three key terms in today's theme:
Victory: In Christian theology, victory is not mere triumph over circumstances or situation but the full participation in God’s redemptive purpose, that is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ’s resurrection (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:57).
Suffering: Biblically, it is more than the pain of struggle. Suffering is often the significant faithful endurance under trial and temptation, especially for righteousness’ sake (cf. 1 Peter 4:16).
Endurance: The Greek term 'hypomonē' implies "steadfast, perseverance, withstand," It is the capacity to remain faithful despite pressure to be unfaithful (cf. James 1:2–4).
All together, they reveal to us a spiritual wisdom difficult for the world to embrace. Endurance in suffering produces victory in God’s economy.
The Cry of Suffering and the Trust in God
In Psalms 31, David expresses deep anguish to the Lord when he says, “Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow.”
The psalm is a lament, a genre that gives voice to human pain while maintaining trust in God. David describes emotional, physical, and social suffering as one who is forgotten, rejected, and surrounded by enemies.
Meanwhile, the turning point comes in verse 14: “But I trust in you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands.”
This reflects a shift from despair to dependence. We can learn that faith does not deny suffering; it reinterprets it through trust in God’s sovereignty. In our suffering and pain, we must not run from God but lean on Him more as He is our God.
This is what Christ Himself demonstrated to us on the cross. In His agony, He speaks of the Father forsaking Him, and yet Jesus echoes Psalm 31:5 on the cross: "Into your hand I commit my spirit."
God's only Son dwelt among us on earth without sin, but not without suffering and pain.
Your suffering becomes the context in which your trust in God is refined. Suffering should draw us to our Creator and Saviour, but not to cut us off from His safe hands.
The Pattern of Christ: Humility, Suffering, and Exaltation
In Philippians 2, Paul presents one of the most profound Christological hymns in Scripture and urges the Christian to adopt this mindset of Jesus Christ, who:
- Emptied Himself ('kenosis').
- Took the form of a servant.
- Became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
(Phil. 2:7,8)
This is an illumination of a descending movement of God's only Son, from divine glory to human suffering.
Yet it does not end there.
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” (verse 9)
The word “therefore” is critical in today's discussion. It establishes a causative engine for exaltation as obedience and suffering. In the entire Bible, this is the only thing that goes to Jesus for all His suffering, "...name above every name."
The passage again teaches that Christ’s suffering was not accidental but intentional, and it was part of God’s redemptive plan. This establishes a pattern for us believers that the path to victory mirrors the path of Christ.
I can not agree less with John Stott that “The cross is not a detour or a hurdle on the way to the kingdom, but it is the way.”
Yes, victory is not achieved by avoiding suffering but by faithfully enduring it in obedience to God.
The Paradox of the Triumphal Entry
Jesus is welcomed to Jerusalem with shouts of “Hosanna!” A term meaning “save now.”
Watching "The Chosen" by Dallas, Ryan, and Tyler, this particular scene appears triumphant, but it is full of a deep paradox.
Jesus rides not a warhorse but a donkey, in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, symbolizing humility and peace rather than military conquest, as verse 10 puts it.
Contrary to the crowd's expectation of a political conquest victory, Jesus moves humbly to the cross, a humiliating and shameful way to die at the time.
This brings into perspective the tension between human expectations of victory and God’s definition of victory. The crowd celebrates prematurely, misunderstanding the nature of Christ’s mission on earth.
Beloved, true victory will not be revealed until after suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection.
Palm Sunday moment challenges us believers to reconsider our own expectations of divine processes to success and triumph.
The Christian faith does not promise escape from suffering but assures us of a purpose within it and victory beyond it.
Let us align with the quote from the Presbyterian Catechism above, founded on Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
Conclusion
Consider a seed buried in the ground. From the outside, it appears lifeless for a while, hidden, broken, and forgotten. And yet, beneath the soil, something powerful is happening.
In time, that buried seed breaks forth, not in defeat, but in a glorious transformation that rises in victory to life.
So it is with Christ.
So it is with the believer.
The cross looked like defeat. The tomb seemed final. But the resurrection declared victory.
And now the same pattern should shape our faithful life to endure suffering, sustain in faith, and break forth in victory.
The question is not whether suffering will come; we know it will. The question is whether we will endure with Christ to boldly pledge with the Presbyterians, saying, "...at the point of death, I will with joy and satisfaction say; Lord Jesus, for you I live, for you I suffer, and for you I die. Whether I live or die, I am yours. O, Lord Jesus, grant me eternal rest. Amen."
Remember, victory is not in avoiding the cross, but in carrying it, trusting God, and rising through it.
Shalom aleikhem...
