Today is Palm Sunday which Christians, in the four corners of the world, celebrate, commemorating the multitudes’ receiving of Christ with palms and tree branches. Likewise, they cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” which means, “Save us, O Son of David.”
On that day, Christ was received with glee: for the multitudes had got to know He was coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Worth mentioning is that on the day before he had worked a great miracle by raising a beloved friend of His, Lazarus, from dead, after the latter had spent four days in the tomb! We read, “The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him… Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
Types of Multitudes
A variety of people received Christ upon His entering Jerusalem. Some followed Him because they heard of His miracles and teachings. So, they wanted to see Him. In fact, they had not known Christ that closely. Yet, they heard of paranormal things He did. So, they just wanted to make sure of this; or maybe they hoped that He save them from their suffering and hard life. This group of people did not know who Christ was, which is why they left Him quite fast. They were just voices that echoed in space and faded pretty soon.
Another group was that which ate from the five loaves and two fish when He was teaching them in the wilderness. In effect, they wanted to have more. They did not care much about knowing Christ or His teachings. Rather, they wanted to have their needs met. Neither did they know Him well. Nor did they try to know Him. They only cared about themselves.
A third group was that of the people who He healed and supported in tribulation. He roamed amidst them, teaching them and healing their sick souls. He did not reject them. Rather, He accepted whoever sought Him, no matter what his sins were. Thus, they loved and wanted to follow Him. These simple souls sensed Christ’s infinite love. So, not only did they receive Him, but also took part in His cortege: for some of them spread their clothes on the ground to welcome Him, while others carried palms and olive branches to receive Him, declaring love, obedience, and loyalty to Him.
Amidst these multitudes were some who feared lest the people love and awe Christ more: for this would lessen their authority. Thus, they joined the people to observe what He was doing in order to revile Him. Among them were the Pharisees who said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” There were also the Scribes and chief priests who got quite mad when they heard children greeting Him.
However, none of them understood Christ’s true mission: for they thought He was an earthly kind who had come to oust the Romans under whom the people suffered immensely. Yet, this was not the point.
The King of Love
Through His work and teachings, Christ presented the power of love which is capable of changing people’s lives. Love makes people kind. They share one another’s joys and pains and support one another at times of trouble. Love is a heavenly song that changes earth to heaven, weakness to strength, and death to life.
The love which Christ taught His disciples and the people was not bound to relatives and friends. It had no discrimination. Thus, it showed man how to follow suit of God’s love: for He pours benevolence on everybody. In fact, we read in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
The message of love was passed on through generations: for the disciples also taught it. We read, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love… Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” Love has become a life they lead and a work they do.
The King of Peace
The multitudes received Christ with palms and olive branches which are symbols of peace. In fact, peacemaking is one of Christ’s crucial teachings for He beatified whoever makes peace, saying, “Blessed are the peace makers for they are called God’s children.” Peace is an outcome of true love that is far from deceit. Whoever learns love follows the path of peace, and whoever seeks peace has to fill his heart with love for everybody. In effect, everlasting peace is implanted amongst human beings.
Indeed, true power, though different from the world’s concept of power, resides in overcoming hatred, violence, and envy which turn man’s life into perpetual conflicts and trouble. So, what can the world offer such a man? Or what can such a man profit, when he has everything, yet, deep down, he has neither peace nor quietude? History presents us with examples of kings and emperors who, despite owning everything, were not happy at all: for their lives were full of fear and worry. So much so that they got rid of their closest friends!
The world’s concept of power is synonymous to authoritarianism. So, do whoever abide by this concept enjoy happiness or peace? I don’t think so. Historians recount how sad Napoleon Bonaparte was after his victories, though his commanders expected the opposite. With the map of the world in one hand, he pointed with the other to a red spot on it, saying, “Had it not for this spot, I would’ve counted myself the conqueror of the whole world!”
On the day of love and peace, we beseech God to fill Egypt with love and peace as well. We also ask for world peace. Many happy returns! Such wishes will never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
