This Palm Sunday, a crowd roared for a champion, joyfully praising him after they’d waited expectantly for years to witness this moment.

Rory’s journey to his Grand Slam of Majors is so enthralling because of his humanity, displayed over more than a decade of struggle. We love the story of a journey like this in sport because it reflects the greatest quest in history, one of the ultimate champion, the worthy king, on his journey to eternal glory.

Augusta’s manicured greens and the pristine path leading to the Butler Cabin may seem a far cry from a dirt road to Jerusalem, yet the atmosphere surrounding Rory McIlroy’s historic win bears such similarity to the excitement we read about as Jesus rides into Jerusalem.

Both see an expectant crowd recognising the significance of a moment, playing their part in crowning a champion, a king.

In Palm Sunday, we see Jesus’ total control and his care on his quest to save humanity from sin and death, we see his kingly rule and later his compassionate care as he weeps over Jerusalem.

The gospel writer Matthew writes about the events of the original Palm Sunday:

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted…

Matthew 21:8-9a

Perhaps your imagination jumps to watching last night’s events unfold, the crowd erupting as Rory shakily holed a three-foot putt for victory and raised his hands to his head.
There is no question of the identity of the champion, and the natural response is praise and glorification. Look at what the crowds say about Jesus:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Matthew 21:9b

Like Rory yesterday, Jesus receives a champion’s welcome, a reception fit for a king. Just as many have waited eleven years for Rory to complete his Grand Slam, countless people over generations had waited for God’s chosen king to arrive. The glorious Messiah promised throughout the Old Testament, and prophesied to arrive on a Donkey in Zechariah 9:9:

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.

But obviously, Rory McIlroy isn’t Jesus

Furthermore, what comes next in the gospel accounts is so much more glorious than an historic sporting triumph because it flips the script on what it looks like to be crowned king, to be a champion, and no one saw it coming.

In contrast to Rory’s journey to Butler Cabin to collect his Green Jacket, Jesus’ next leg on his journey doesn’t look remotely glorious. He doesn’t bask in the adulation of the crowd, nor does he ride the wave of popularity to trigger a revolt to overthrow the Roman occupiers and establish independence for Israel.

No, over the course of the following week Jesus, in submission to the will of his Father God (Matt 26:39), is humbled before the Romans and his own people (Matt26:67-68, 27:11), he’s pronounced guilty in a kangaroo court, and his closest friend denies association with him (Matt 26:69-75). Finally, he’s brutally murdered as an example to anyone who’d dare challenge the power of the established religious authorities (Matt 27:37).

A far cry from a glorified champion - so why is this glorious?

Imagine this Friday Rory arrives at your front door, takes off the Green Jacket that’s his for only a year, and invites you to put it on in his place – to take on his identity as the champion, offering you all of benefits that come with membership at Augusta National (and there are many!).

This is a picture of the union Jesus offers those who trust in him.

Because through Jesus’ suffering, we are invited to receive a gift, a glorious identity, that neither we nor the greatest sporting champion could hope to achieve.

Jesus, the rightful King and worthy recipient of our praise, gives up his crown – and offers it to us. His victory becomes our victory. We are treated like a champion.

Just days after his triumphant entry to Jerusalem, on Good Friday, Jesus, with arms outstretched, ironic crown of thorns drawing blood from his head, died that you might live.

And on Sunday he rose from the dead, achieving the impossible so that we might receive an unwinnable prize, the ultimate secure identity, reconciliation with God as our father and eternal citizenship of the Kingdom of heaven.

If you have accepted this precious gift, then rejoice!

There is no better thing to gain than union with Christ.

There is no greater champion to share victory with.

There is no king more glorious to know as Lord and friend.

Brian Glynn

Brian oversees digital communications at Christians in Sport, he runs for Cornwall Athletic Club and attends Christ Church Truro