"Blessings on the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. After he looked around at everything, because it was already late in the evening, he returned to Bethany with the Twelve. Mark 11:10-11 CEB
This Sunday marks Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem before the events of Holy Week began to play themselves out. The crowds come to greet his entry into Jerusalem and shout “Hosanna,” which is an expression of adoration, praise, or joy. They shout “Blessings on the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest!” They welcome him waving palm branches that are typically reserved for royalty. The disciples throw garments on the back of the colt and the crowd spreads cloaks and branches along the pathway before Jesus — are symbolic of Jesus' authority.
The crowds praise Jesus enthusiastically because they believed he would overthrow Rome. They recognized him as the promised Messiah from Zechariah 9:9 NIV: Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Jesus, who has just celebrated a messianic-type entrance into the city, symbolically "claiming" Jerusalem as his own. People are revering him as some kind of superhero or big brother who has come to give a thrashing to all who have caused them anguish. Yet, suddenly in verse 11 he calls a sudden halt to this messianic mission. Why? Because it is late. It is bedtime.
We can so relate to this. When we have hit the wall, it’s time to turn in for the day. Jesus is just like one of his. His humanity is showing through. He is one that we can connect with as Jesus is one that relates to us. In this passage, Jesus chooses to emphasize that he is not the kind of Messiah they have been expecting. His kingdom is of mercy, love, forgiveness, and grace.