On April 13, Palm Sunday, Chongwenmen Church in Beijing held its fifth Palm Sunday worship service, urging believers to follow Jesus as he entered the holy city, to triumph over sin, suffering, and even death, and to rise with him in resurrection.
The sanctuary was adorned with symbolic palm branches along the walls, columns, and around the pulpit, commemorating the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into the holy city.
During the sermon, Rev. Zhang Wenzhe delivered a sermon titled "Victorious Entry," based on Matthew 21:1-11, focusing on three aspects: victory over sin, victory over suffering, and victory over death. He began with the story of Jesus entering the city on a donkey, introducing him as the prophesied king by referencing Isaiah's prophecy. He also drew from Luke 19 to explain that before entering the holy city, Jesus wept over Jerusalem, a city outwardly at peace but inwardly full of deceit, rebellion, and sin. Despite being fully aware of the opposition awaiting him, Jesus submitted to the will of God the Father out of love and a desire to save humanity, embarking resolutely on the path of suffering and resurrection, a path deemed shameful by the world, yet victorious over sin and death.
In the first part of the sermon, Rev. Zhang emphasized that upon entering the holy city, Jesus confronted the Jewish religious leaders and people through events such as the cleansing of the temple and the parable of the vineyard. Beneath these apparent conflicts lay Jesus' urgent love and deep longing for his people trapped in rebellion. Reflecting on the current era, Rev. Zhang noted that the church's pointed critique of sinful ideologies in churches and society reflects Christ's compassion and burden. Behind what may appear to be powerless opposition lies the confidence and hope of overcoming sin.
In the second part of the sermon, "Overcoming Suffering," Pastor Zhang reflected on the Lord Jesus's journey from his triumphal entry into the holy city to his suffering on the cross. He recounted Jesus' life marked by suffering, facing persecution, rejection, and scorn from the world. Yet, by God's will, this path of suffering became the start of his redemptive work.
Drawing from this, the pastor reminded believers that suffering for the sake of God's kingdom and righteousness is not a sign of failure but rather the path to fulfilling God's mission and purpose. Such suffering is not meaningless pain or torment but a glorious journey of following the Lord Jesus toward ultimate victory.
In this context, Rev. Zhang cited the example of apostles throughout history who were martyred for the Lord, highlighting the contrast between those who faithfully followed and imitated Christ, becoming "people of whom the world was not worthy," and many in today's generation who struggle to endure the challenges of the world. He urged the congregation to be ignited by the fire of the Holy Spirit through humility and repentance, to truly follow Christ, take up the calling of discipleship, and embark on the path of victory through suffering.
In the third aspect, "Victory over Death," Pastor Zhang explained that the Lord Jesus' triumphant entry into the holy city was a journey that directly confronted death, yet a path that ultimately led to victory over it. He referenced Jesus' parable of the grain of wheat to illustrate that Jesus and the apostles across generations willingly chose the way of sacrifice and surrender, not out of mere personal bravery, but through a relationship of absolute love and faith with God. In this obedience to the Father's transcendent will, God's name was glorified, and more seeds of life were sown.
Concluding the sermon, Pastor Zhang quoted Philippians 1:20-21, encouraging the congregation to imitate Christ, to accept, endure, and obey the will of God the Father, so that their lives may also confront sin, suffering, and even death, and share in the Lord's ultimate victory on the day of resurrection.
- Edited and translated by Poppy Chan
