Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday by Ruth Boven

Palm Sunday. Maundy Thursday. Good Friday. Dark Saturday. Easter. These are very important days in the life of the Christian church and for individual Christians. This week is the culmination of our Lenten journey. For weeks, we have been preparing our hearts to consider anew the meaning of the cross.

Join us as we walk through Passion Week, from the joyful crowds of Palm Sunday to the deep sorrow of Good Friday and ultimately to the triumph of Easter Sunday. On that Resurrection Sunday, we will rejoice in union once again as we say “Christ is risen! He has risen indeed!”

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 14
John 12:12-19
THE PALM PARADE

"They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” John 12:13

Today is one of my favorite days on the church calendar. This morning in many churches children will march up and down the aisles, singing praises and waving palm branches to remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

Recently, I learned that the palm branches in Jesus’ day had patriotic meaning. Rebels rising against Rome would mint coins stamped with palm branches on them. So, as Jesus entered Jerusalem to the waving of palms, the scene spoke of the Jewish people’s national hope (overcoming the oppressive rule of Rome) that was focused on Jesus.

Jesus chose to make his entry on a donkey, a humble symbol of both kingship and peace. But Jesus’ message wasn’t that he was the political king the people expected. His message was for the entire world. Jesus came not to save one nation but to offer salvation to all people, of all nations.

“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:17).

It isn’t by way of weapons or war horses that Jesus saves. Instead, on Palm Sunday, Jesus ushered in the humble message that he would lay down his life so that all people might claim him as Lord and King. Hosanna in the highest!

PRAYER: Blessed are you, my Lord and King, for you came to bring peace and salvation to all people. Equip me to join you in that great calling. In your name I pray. Amen.