5 Things about Palm Sunday That Remind Us Christ Is King
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, and it marks the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian calendar. We commemorate and celebrate the day on which Jesus entered Jerusalem as Savior and King, and we do so on this day every year. The crowds gathered as Jesus rode a donkey into the town of Jerusalem, where they threw palm branches and their cloaks across the road, treating him as though he were the King of Kings. Hundreds of people erupted in applause “Hosanna to the Messiah, the Son of David!
Hosanna from the highest reaches of the heavens!” Palm Sunday is a movable feast, which means that the date changes each year depending on the length of Lent and the time of the spring equinox.
However, while this is a triumphant entry, it is also the first step on the road to His execution.
Palm Sunday is observed by a large number of churches.
However, while this is a triumphant entry, it is also the first step on the road to His execution.
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Palm Sunday Bible Story – Triumphal Entry
Matthew 21:1-11 – Jesus is crowned King of the Jews in Jerusalem. Towards the end of their journey, as they neared Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus dispatched two disciples, instructing them to “go ahead of you to the settlement ahead of you and immediately you will find a donkey tethered there with her colt by her.” Bring them to me after they’ve been untied. If anybody says anything to you, tell them that the Lord requires their assistance, and he will send them straight away.” ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey,’ the prophet declared.
- The disciples followed Jesus’ instructions and performed what he had taught them to do.
- A significant number of people stretched their cloaks over the road, while others chopped branches from the trees and put them on the road as a barrier.
- God’s blessing is upon him who enters by way of the name of Jesus Christ!
- When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, the entire city was ablaze with curiosity, asking, “Who is this?” “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee,” the masses said in response.
- That historic day when Jesus began His trek towards the crucifixion was a watershed moment in history.
Every section of this narrative is filled with profound realities revealed through His Word. Truths that pull us closer to Christ and serve as a constant reminder that He alone is King.
5 Things about Palm Sunday that Remind Us Christ is King
God’s Word says that when Jesus rode into the city, people cut palm branches and waved them in the air before laying them out on the ground in front of Him, according to the Bible. The palm branch signified kindness and triumph, and it served as a symbol of the final victory He would achieve over death in the near future. “Where has your victory gone, Death?” “Where has your sting gone, death?” 1 Cor. 15:552 is a reference to the book of Corinthians. The fact that Jesus decided to ride in on a donkey was a precise fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesy found in Zech.
- When kings or other prominent individuals arrived in a parade on donkeys, it was normal practice in biblical times to greet them.
- Although Jesus was still alive, He reminded us that He is the Prince of Peace.
- See, your king is on his way to you; he is just and has salvation in him; he is lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey,” says the prophet.
- By exclaiming “Hosanna!” the people were proclaiming Christ to be King of all creation.
- Arise, blessed is he who enters by way of the name of the LORD!
- The Bible says in Romans 10:94 that According to the Bible, Jesus grieved over the city of Jerusalem.
Because of the truth of how much people needed a Savior, his heart ached.” The moment he set foot in Jerusalem and gazed at the city, he sobbed and cried out: “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is concealed from your sight.” Luke 19:41–425 is a passage of Scripture.
- In the modern world, people were looking for someone to fight their conflicts for them.
- This is the magnificence of the reason why we are celebrating this week.
- The adversary is well aware of this, and you can guarantee that he will do all in his power to divert our attention away from the genuine significance of what this Holy Week represents.
- During this Holy Week, may God guide our thoughts and attention to the things that are most important, namely, Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.
Focus on worshiping and praising the Lord for the gift of His sacrifice, on celebrating the power of the Resurrection, and on finding new life in Him alone as we choose to do. Grace. Thanks be to God for His indescribably wonderful gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15
Additional Palm Sunday Scriptures
Zion’s Daughter, rejoice heartily in the Lord, according to Zechariah 9:9. Daughter Jerusalem, raise your voice! Look at it this way: your king comes to you, righteous and triumphant, but humble and riding on a donkey, or rather, on a colt, which is the foal of a donkey. When the vast multitude that had gathered for the celebration learned that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem the following day, they rejoiced. John 12:12-19 They gathered palm branches and raced out to greet Jesus, yelling, “Hosanna!” as they went.
“Blessed is the king of Israel!” says the Bible.
“Do not be scared, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” In Luke 19:11-44, Jesus instructs his followers to “go to the hamlet ahead of you, and when you enter it, you will see a colt tethered there that no one has ever rode before.” Bring it here when you’ve untied it.
“Why are you untying the colt?” the colt’s owners said as they were removing the colt’s tying.
As he traveled along the road, folks spread their cloaks on the roadside.
More Scriptures on Palm Sunday can be found at BibleStudyTools.com.
Palm Sunday Prayer
I offer thanks to you, Lord God, for you are kind and your mercy is without limit. This is where I find myself, at the beginning of this holy week, this week in which your church commemorates Jesus’ passion and death, and I find myself sidetracked by a variety of issues. Turn my gaze now to the One who comes in your name, to the One who unlocks the gates of righteousness, to the One who responds to our cries for assistance. Thanks for shining your light on me, Lord, and for sending your son to us in our human imperfection, which I praise you for.
- Please open my eyes so that I may see him approaching and thank him with a pure heart as he approaches.
- Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit exists and reigns as one God for all time and eternity, we pray.
- Rachel Marie Stone has written eight prayers to be prayed each week during Holy Week.
- Begin your day with her every morning on Fresh Day Ahead’s Facebook page, DebbieWebbMc Daniel, where she will provide daily encouragement in living strong, free and hopeful lives.
Debbie McDaniel may also be found on Twitter and at her website, DebbieMcDaniel.com. Photograph courtesy of Thinkstock/jgroup
Holy Week Timeline: From Palm Sunday to Resurrection Day
While biblical historians disagree on the exact sequence of events that occurred during Holy Week, the following chronology provides a rough summary of the most significant events that occurred during the most holy days on the Christian calendar. Follow along the footsteps of Jesus Christ from Palm Sunday through Resurrection Sunday, learning about the significant events that took place on each day of the week.
Day 1: Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday
Images courtesy of SuperStock / Getty Images On the Sunday before his death, Jesus embarked on his journey to Jerusalem, fully aware that he would soon be nailed on the cross for our sins. Upon approaching the hamlet of Bethphage, he dispatched two of his disciples ahead of him, instructing them to search for a donkey and its unbroken colt. They were given the task of untying the animals and bringing them to him for examination. Then Jesus got on the young donkey and quietly and respectfully made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling the ancient prophesy found in Zechariah 9:9: “And the Lord said to me, ‘Enter into Jerusalem,’ and I said to him, ‘Enter into Jerusalem.'” “O Daughter of Zion, you should be overjoyed!
Your king comes to you, kind and saving, gentle and riding on a donkey colt, the foal of a donkey, and he is righteous and saves you.” With palm branches in the air and shouts of “Welcome!” the masses greeted him warmly “Hosanna to David’s Son, the Son of David!
Hosanna in the highest possible degree!” During the night of Palm Sunday, Jesus and his followers slept at Bethany, a village located approximately two miles east of Jerusalem.
They were personal friends of Jesus’, and it’s likely that they housed Him and His followers during their final days in the Holy City.
Day 2: On Monday, Jesus Clears the Temple
“Casting Out the Money Changers,” a painting by Carl Bloch, depicts a group of money changers. courtesy of Rischgitz/Getty Images The next morning, Jesus and his followers returned to Jerusalem, where they had spent the previous night. A fig tree, which had failed to give fruit on his journey, was cursed by him along the road. Some academics think that God’s punishment of the fig tree signified God’s judgment on Israel’s religious leaders who were spiritually dead at the time. The symbolism, according to others, was extended to all Christians, emphasizing that real faith is more than simply external religiosity; genuine, live faith must produce spiritual fruit in a person’s life.
“The Scriptures proclaim that ‘My Temple will be a place of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves,” he said as he proceeded to overturn their tables and clean the Temple (Luke 19:46).
On Monday evening, Jesus returned to Bethany and most likely remained at the home of his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus this time. The events of Monday are reported in Matthew 21:12–22, Mark 11:15–19, Luke 19:45–48, and John 2:13–17, among other places.
Day 3: On Tuesday, Jesus Goes to the Mount of Olives
The Mount of Olives is a holy place in Judaism. courtesy of Andrew Howe / Getty Images On Tuesday morning, Jesus and his followers boarded a ship for the return trip to Jerusalem. In the midst of their journey, they came across a withered fig tree, and Jesus talked to his friends on the significance of faith. Religious authorities were furious with Jesus when he returned to the Temple and declared himself to be a spiritual authority in the first place. They planned an ambush with the goal of apprehending him and putting him in jail.
- In this regard, you are like whitewashed tombs, which appear to be lovely on the surface but are filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and other impurities of every kind.
- Snakes!
- What plan do you have to avoid the wrath of God?” (Matthew 23:24-33; Mark 10:24-33) Later that afternoon, Jesus and his followers left the city and traveled to the Mount of Olives, which is located directly east of the Temple and provides a panoramic view of Jerusalem.
- As is customary for him, Jesus talks in parables, employing symbolic language to describe end-time events, such as His Second Coming and the final judgment.
- After a grueling day of confrontation and foreboding about the future, Jesus and the disciples went to Bethany to spend the night once more.
Day 4: Holy Wednesday
The Tomb of Lazarus is located in Bethany (c. 1900). Photograph courtesy of Getty Images According to the Bible, Jesus did not perform any miracles on the Wednesday of Passion Week. Researchers assume that following two hard days in Jerusalem, Jesus and his followers spent this day relaxing in Bethany, anticipating the upcoming celebration of Passover. Only a short time before, Jesus had demonstrated to his followers and the rest of the world that he has the ability to raise the dead by bringing Lazarus from the dead.
Just a few nights before, in Bethany, Lazarus’ sister Mary had lavishly bathed the feet of Jesus with costly perfume, a gesture that was both touching and symbolic.
Day 5: Passover and Last Supper on Maundy Thursday
Image courtesy of Leemage/UIG via Getty Images On Thursday, the tone of Holy Week becomes solemn. As a result, Jesus dispatched Peter and Johnahead to the Upper Room in Jerusalem, where they worked on the preparations for the Passover Feast. The following evening, after sunset, Jesus washed the feet of his followers, who were about to partake in the Passover meal with him. By doing this modest act of service, Jesus set an example for Christians on how they should treat one another in their faith.
- Afterwards, Jesus had the Passover meal with his followers, explaining his actions as follows: “I’ve been looking forward to sharing this Passover meal with you before my ordeal really begins.
- When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, he was telling his disciples to commemorate his sacrifice by regularly partaking in the components of bread and wine, which he instituted during the Last Supper (Luke 22:19-20).
- According to the Gospel of Luke, “his perspiration became like big droplets of blood flowing down to the earth” (Luke 23:43).
- Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus with a kiss late that evening in Gethsemane, and the Sanhedrin apprehended him and put him in prison.
Peter denied ever knowing his Master three times before the rooster crowed in the early morning hours of Jesus’ trial, which was just getting began. The events of Thursday are reported in Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12–72, Luke 22:7–62, and John 13:1–38, among other places.
Day 6: Trial, Crucifixion, Death, and Burial on Good Friday
Close-up of Bramantino’s “Crucifixion,” an oil on panel painting that measures 372 x 270 cm. DEA | Photograph by G. CIGOLINI / Getty Images It is the most painful day of Passion Week, and Good Friday is no exception. In these final hours leading up to Christ’s death, his trip became hazardous and excruciatingly agonizing for him. As recorded in the Bible, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who had betrayed Jesus, was filled with regret and committed suicide by hanging himself in the early hours of Friday morning.
- After a series of illegitimate trials, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion, which was considered one of the most horrifying and shameful means of capital punishment available at that time.
- When Jesus arrived to Calvary, he was once again humiliated and abused by the Roman soldiers who nailed him to the wooden cross, this time with a spear.
- “Father, pardon them, for they have no idea what they are doing,” he said in his first words.
- Jesus’ corpse was taken down from the crucifixion by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea at 6 p.m.
- The events of Friday are reported in Matthew 27:1-62, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:63-23:56, and John 18:28-19:37, to name a few biblical references.
Day 7: Saturday in the Tomb
Several disciples gather at the site of Jesus’ entombment following his crucifixion. Photograph courtesy of the Hulton Archive/Getty Images The corpse of Jesus rested in the tomb, where it was guarded by Roman troops throughout the day on Saturday, which was the Sabbath, on which he died. Christ’s corpse was ceremonially prepared for burial using spices purchased by Nicodemus after the Sabbath ended at 6 p.m. on the seventh day “He carried around seventy-five pounds of fragrant ointment made from myrrhand aloes with him to the meeting.
- Nicodemus was a member of this court, as did Joseph.
- But after Jesus appeared to them, they decided to come out publicly.
- They bravely came out of hiding, putting their reputations and perhaps their lives at risk because they had come to the realization that Jesus was, in fact, the long-awaited Messiah.
- In the time that his bodily body was in the tomb, Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin on the cross by providing the perfect, spotless sacrifice.
- And the ransom he paid was not just a simple sum of money in gold or silver.
He paid for you with the precious blood of Christ, the innocent and spotless Lamb of God, who paid the price for your sins.” (1 Peter 1:18-19, New Living Translation) The events of Saturday are reported in Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 16:1, Luke 23:56, and John 19:40, among other places.
Day 8: Resurrection Sunday
The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, which is widely thought to be the last resting place of Jesus Christ. courtesy of Steve Allen / Getty Images OnResurrection We have reached the conclusion of Holy Week on Sunday, or Easter. Among the most significant events in the history of the Christian religion is Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The veracity of this story is essential to the understanding of all Christian doctrines and practices. Several ladies (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Salome, and Mary the mother of James) went to the tomb early on Sunday morning and discovered that the enormous stone blocking the entrance had been rolled aside.
- I know you’re seeking for Jesus, who was crucified, and I understand your frustration.
- He has really risen from the dead, precisely as he said would happen in the Bible.” (Matthew 28:5-6, New Living Translation) Jesus Christ appeared at least five times on the day of his resurrection, according to the Bible.
- Jesus also appeared to Peter, to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, and later that day, while the disciples were assembled in a home for prayer, to all of them save Thomas.
- Two millennia after Christ’s death, supporters of the Messiah continue to go to Jerusalem to view the tomb that has been empty since then.
The Bible Story of the First Palm Sunday
The tale of Palm Sunday is brought to life in the Bible in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19, among other places. The Triumphal Entry ofJesusChrist into Jerusalem represents the culmination of his earthly mission and the beginning of his reign as King. It is the Lord who enters the city, well aware that this journey would culminate in his death as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
Question for Reflection
After following Jesus on his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the people failed to perceive him for who he actually was, instead placing their own selfish demands on him. Who is Jesus in your eyes? Is he simply someone to fulfill your selfish desires and aspirations, or is he your Lord and Master, who devoted his life in order to redeem you from your sins and bring you back to God?
Palm Sunday Story Summary
On his trip to Jerusalem, Jesus dispatched two disciples to the town of Bethphage, which was about a mile away from the city at the foot of the Mount of Olives and about a mile away from the city. He instructed them to hunt for a donkey that was tied to a home and had an unbroken colt beside it. The disciples were directed to inform the animal’s owners that “the Lord requires it.” Jesus said, “The Lord requires it.” (Luke 19:31, English Standard Version) The men tracked down the donkey and brought it and its foal to Jesus, where they draped their cloaks over the colt’s shoulders.
- People tossed their cloaks on the ground and placed palm branches in the pathway in front of him as he made his way.
- Passover throngs gathered Jesus, chanting “Hosanna to the Son of David!
- “Hosanna to the highest degree!” (Matthew 21:9, English Standard Version) Within minutes of that moment, the ruckus had spread over the whole city.
- Without a doubt, they were disseminating information about that incredible miracle.
- “Yes,” Jesus said, “have you never read the verse, “‘From the mouths of children and babies you, Lord, have brought up your praise’?” he inquired.
When I asked him why the stones were silent, he said, “I told you, the very stones would scream.” (Luke 19:39-40, English Standard Version) Immediately following this beautiful period of celebration, Jesus Christ embarked on his final trip to the cross.
Life Lesson
In the eyes of the people of Jerusalem, Jesus was an earthly king who would bring down the tyrannical Roman Empire. Their understanding of him was constrained by their own limiting and materialistic requirements. In their ignorance, they overlooked the fact that Jesus had come to win over a far bigger adversary than Rome—an adversary whose defeat would have ramifications that would extend far beyond this life. Jesus came to earth in order to defeat Satan, the adversary of our souls. He came in order to overthrow the forces of sin and death.
Points of Interest
- It was at this point that Jesus addressed himself as “The Lord,” a clear statement of his divinity. When he instructed the disciples to get the donkey, Jesus addressed himself as “The Lord,” a clear proclamation of his deity. By riding into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey, Jesus fulfilled an old prophesy found in Zechariah 9:9: “The Lord will ride into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey.” “O daughter of Zion, you should be overjoyed! O daughter of Jerusalem, let your voice be heard! Behold, your king is on his way to you
- He is just and has redemption
- He is lowly and riding on the back of a donkey, on the colt of a donkey, the foal of a donkey.” (ESV) This was the only time Jesus rode a horse in the four Gospel books, and it was a significant moment. Through his use of a donkey, Jesus demonstrated the type of Messiah he was—not a political hero, but a compassionate, humble servant. Tossing cloaks in the way of someone was considered an act of reverence and submission, and it functioned as a kind of acknowledgement of royalty, coupled with the throwing of palm branches in the road of someone. The people recognized Jesus as the anticipated Messiah
- The screams of ‘Hosanna’ originated from Psalm 118:25-26, which was the source of the people’s recognition. Hosanna is a Hebrew word that meaning “save now.” However, despite what Jesus had predicted about his mission, the people were seeking for a military Messiah who would overturn the Roman government and restore Israel’s freedom.
Sources
- A few examples include: T. Alton Bryant’s New Compact Bible Dictionary
- The New Bible Commentary, edited by G.J. Wenham, J.A. Motyer, D.A. Carson, and R.T. France
- The ESV Study Bible, published by Crossway Bible
- And the ESV Study Bible, published by Crossway Bible.
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Matthew 21-22, Mark 11-12, Luke 19-20, and John 12 are examples of passages from the Bible.
Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem
| As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the peoplespread their coats in front of Him and greeted Him with palm branches. |
It was a sunny Sunday around the year 30 A.D., and it was a beautiful day. It was a bustling scene in the holy city of Jerusalem as pilgrims descended on the city for the annual Passover festival. Jesus had been wandering through the cities and villages of Palestine for several months when he was arrested. He traveled around the world, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and healing the sick. It was now time for Him to assert His right to be known as the Messiah – the Savior whom God had promised to the Jewish people thousands of years before.
- During the course of their journey to Jerusalem, Jesus informed His followers that He would shortly be executed and that He would rise from the dead three days later.
- Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey, according to tradition.
- Some others brandished palm tree branches as a victory sign, while others sang.
- In 2 Kings 9:13, it is stated that only a king would be received in this manner, and the people want Jesus to be their king.
- A great political and military leader, they believed, would come to rescue them from the oppression of the Roman Empire, and that was exactly what they got.
- It is a spiritual kingdom that is currently forming in the hearts of those who place their confidence and trust in God and his promises.
Cleansing the Temple
| Jesus drove the merchants and moneychangers out of the temple. |
Approximately the year 30 A.D., it was a sunny Sunday in April. It was a bustling scene in the holy city of Jerusalem as pilgrims descended on the city for the annual Passover festival. Jesus had been wandering through the cities and villages of Palestine for several months when he met Peter. He traveled around the world, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and healing those in need. Him claiming His rightful place as the Messiah – the Savior whom God had promised to the Jewish people – had come to the right moment.
- The disciples were on their way to Jerusalem when Jesus gave them a prophecy that He would be executed shortly and would rise from the dead three days later.
- Taking the donkey, Jesus made his way into Jerusalem.
- As a victory gesture, several others waved palm branches in the air.
- The one who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel – is to be exalted.
- It was unclear to the majority of the populace just what type of king Jesus would be.
This world is not the realm of God’s kingdom, on the other hand. In the hearts of those who place their faith and confidence only in God, a spiritual kingdom is currently gaining momentum.
Teaching and Healing
Every day, Jesus went to the temple to pray. His healing ministry extended to others who were blind, handicapped, and ill, and He cured them all. He used tales and parables to help people better comprehend God’s kingdom and God’s love for all people, and he was known for doing so. The large masses of people who had gathered to hear Him were mesmerized. A scholar of Jewish law approached Jesus and inquired as to which of God’s commandments was the most significant. ‘Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all of your soul, and all of your mind,’ Jesus said.’ This is the very first and most important commandment.
Everything Jesus taught us is built on the foundation of faith in God and Christian love (kindness and respect) for one another and for all people.
Conflict with the Chief Priests and Elders
| The chief priests and elders of thetemple challenged Jesus’ authority. |
Not everyone was pleased with Jesus’ decision to speak at the temple on a daily basis. Anger and dissatisfaction reigned among the temple’s leading priests and elders. The chief priests had granted permission for merchants and money changers to operate in the temple’s outer courtyard, but Jesus had ordered them out of the building. Because of the vast number of people who followed Jesus, they were concerned about a crackdown by Roman authorities. And, what’s worse, the people were placing all of their hopes and confidence in Jesus.
- These temple authorities devised a strategy to catch Jesus in the act of speaking his own words.
- Jesus refused to answer their questions.
- In the event that He did not assert divine authority, people may conclude that He was simply a lunatic.
- However, instead of responding to the question, He posed another: “Did the baptism of John originate from heaven?” The temple officials understood that they had fallen into a trap as well.
- As a result, they declined to respond.
- The temple leaders, on the other hand, became even more enraged and began plotting to assassinate Jesus.
Lessons
For the Jews, Jerusalem was the holiest city on the face of the earth. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, he fulfilled a prophesy from the Old Testament (Zechariah 9:9–10) and left little mistake that He was adopting the title of Messiah. The large masses of people who had gathered in Jerusalem for Passover flocked to Jesus and praised him. However, there was a bitter struggle between Jesus and the religious authorities of Jerusalem. They were at odds on themes like as prayer, sanctity, life after death, and the payment of taxes to the Roman government.
Jesus was killed less than a week after arriving in Jerusalem as a result of these disagreements.
He spoke about His second coming and the kingdom of God, and he presented parables about it. Most importantly, Jesus stated that we must place our whole confidence in God and put that trust into action by showing compassion to others.
Questions
It is customary to commemorate Jesus’ triumphant arrival into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, on the Sunday before Easter. While riding into Jerusalem, Jesus got a warm welcome from the pilgrims, which some churches commemorate by decorating with palm branches and distributing palm branches.
Why Did Jesus Preach and Work His Miracles Among the Jews?
Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews are all terms used to refer to the people who were chosen by God. God intended for redemption to be brought to the Jews first, and then via the Jews, to the rest of the world as a whole. As a Jew, Jesus was born and raised, and he stayed devoted to Judaism (the Jewish religion) throughout His earthly ministry. The majority of his labor and preaching was done among the Jews of Palestine, which is now known as the State of Israel. Christianity originated as a minor sect of Judaism that spread over the world.
It is important to note that God has not renounced His covenant with the Jews (Romans 11:25-29), but that His redemption is now offered to all people everywhere.
What DoesMessiahMean?
Messiah is derived from a Hebrew phrase that literally means “the anointed one.” Oil was used to anoint significant persons in the Old Testament, such as kings and priests, as a symbol of their position. For hundreds of years, the Jews had hoped that God would send them a particular monarch to rule over them (Daniel 9:25-26, Isaiah 7:14-17, 11:1-9,Micah 5:2). Because the people were expecting their Messiah to be a military and political leader rather than a spiritual leader, Jesus resisted taking the title Messiah until the very end.
What Is Palm Sunday? Bible Story and Meaning Today
In the morning of the following day, the large crowd that had gathered for the festival learned that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. With palm branches in hand, they marched out to greet him, yelling out, “Hosanna!” God’s blessing is upon him who enters by way of the name of Jesus Christ! “Blessed is the king of Israel!” says the Bible. “Do not be frightened, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt,” says the Bible. “Do not be scared, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” At first, his disciples were perplexed by what he was saying.
It is now the responsibility of the throng that was present when he summoned Lazarus from the tomb and resurrected him from the dead to spread the message.
So the Pharisees concluded among themselves, “See, this isn’t getting us anywhere.” “Look at how the entire world has converged on him!” -John 12:12-19 (NIV).
Take note that “Your King comes riding in on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”; “He is just and has redemption on his side; He is modest and mounted on a donkey.” -Zechariah 9:9 (Zechariah 9:9) The Bible says that whomever believes and is baptized will be saved, but the Bible also says that anyone does not believe will be damned.
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
He achieves success in all he undertakes.
As a result, the wicked will not stand in judgment, nor will sinners be included in the assembly of the righteous; for the LORD knows the paths of the righteous, but the paths of the wicked will be destroyed.” Scripture quotations: Psalm 1:1-6 Click HERE to download your FREE 8-Day Prayer and Scripture Guide -Praying Through Holy Week.
Create your own copy of this wonderful daily devotional to use in the weeks leading up to Easter. Photograph courtesy of Flickr
What happened on Palm Sunday in the bible?
This moveable feast, which takes place on the Sunday before Easter and marks the beginning of Holy Week in Christianity, is known as PALM Sunday. Many Christian faiths, including the Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Anglican, Moravian, and Reformed traditions, distribute palm branches to their congregations on the Feast of the Holy Sepulchre. 4 The beginning of Holy Week is marked with the celebration of Palm Sunday. Image courtesy of Alamy
What happened on Palm Sunday in the bible?
Before Jesus’ arrest on Holy Thursday and his death on Good Friday, the celebration of Palm Sunday celebrates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem, when palm branches were laid along his route. On his trip to Jerusalem, Jesus dispatched two disciples to the town of Bethpage, which was about a mile away from the city at the foot of the Mount of Olives and about a mile away from the city. He instructed them to hunt for a donkey that was tied to a home and had an unbroken colt beside it. The disciples were ordered by Jesus to inform the owners of the animal that “the Lord need its services.” The men tracked down the donkey and brought it and its foal to Jesus, where they draped their cloaks over the colt’s shoulders.
- 4 Palm Sunday celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and is observed on the first Sunday in April.
- Others cheered and swung palm branches in the air above them.
- A blessing is upon him who comes in the name of the Lord!
- Many of Jesus’ Galilean followers had witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the grave earlier in the day.
- Although the residents of the city were not completely aware of Christ’s mission at the time, their adoration was an act of worship for God.
- ‘I assure you, if these stones were silent, the very stones would scream,’ he said.” Immediately following this magnificent period of celebration, Jesus embarked on his last journey to Calvary.
- Image courtesy of Rex
When does Holy Week start?
It is official that Holy Week has begun with the celebration of Palm Sunday, during which Christians commemorate the events leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross and, according to their beliefs, his Resurrection. The week begins with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ lowly journey into Jerusalem on a donkey to mark the Passover holiday. There are five days of special significance during the week. The establishment of the Eucharist by Jesus at the Last Supper is commemorated on Holy Thursday.
The arrest of the son of God on Holy Thursday and his crucifixion on Good Friday were followed by his resurrection on Easter Sunday, according to the Christian faith.
Image courtesy of Splash Holy Saturday, often known as the Easter Vigil, is the customary conclusion to the Lenten season. According to the Gospels, Easter Sunday is the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection, which occurred on the third day following his crucifixion.
When is Easter?
Easter Sunday will fall on April 4, 2021, which is more than a week sooner than the previous year’s date of April 12. The second Friday in April will be Good Friday.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, is the first day of Holy Week and the Sunday before Easter in the Christian calendar, and it commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. Palm Sunday is traditionally connected with the blessing and procession of palms in many churches (leaves of thedate palmor twigs from locally available trees). Palm Sunday will be observed on April 10, 2022, on a Sunday. In the travelogue Peregrinatio Etheriae, it is written about how these extraordinary rites took place in Jerusalem around the end of the 4th century and how they were portrayed (The Pilgrimage of Etheria).
It was customary during the Middle Ages to have an elaborate ceremony for the blessing of the palms: the procession began in one church, proceeded to another church in which the palms were blessed, and then returned to the church in which the procession had begun to sing the liturgy in the original church.
- The choir would occasionally sing the musical settings for the audience segments throughout the performance.
- The day has now been designated as “Passion Sunday” by the Catholic Church.
- Several of the palms are carried home by members of the congregation to be used as sacramentals (sacred tokens of the sacraments) the following year, and some of them are burnt the next year to be used as ashes for Ash Wednesday.
- Some of the old traditions were reintroduced in the 19th century in the Anglican churches of the United Kingdom.
- Those in charge of editing the Encyclopaedia Britannica Adam Augustyn was the author of the most recent revision and update to this article.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday: A Brief Overview of Its History It was in the late third or early fourth century that the Jerusalem Church instituted Palm Sunday, which was originally known as Pasha. Ceremonies were held at several holy places across the city, with prayers, hymns, and lectures being spoken as people went through them. The clergy would recount the biblical story of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem at the last spot, which was the site of Jesus’ ascension into heaven on the cross. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” the people would sing as they made their way back to the city as dusk neared (Matthew 21:9).
- It wasn’t until the sixth and seventh century that the ritual blessing of the palms was introduced into the culture.
- Palm Sunday is a long-standing tradition.
- Palm Sunday, which occurs on the sixth Sunday of Lent and the Sunday before Easter, is observed by all major Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches.
- The graves of loved ones are often adorned with palm leaves in several nations.
- Many of the rituals associated with Palm Sunday are being observed today in much the same way they were in the eleventh century.
- After that, many people take the palms home with them and plant them in their homes, barns, and gardens.
- It is common for children to make crosses from palm leaves, which were then carried in the Sunday processional.
In the ancient Near East, it was customary to lay a cover across the route of someone who was considered deserving of the highest honor.
As recorded in 2 Kings 9:13, Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, was given the traditional royal welcome, which included the spreading of cloaks on the ground.
“Hosanna to the Son of David!” says the choir.
“Hosanna to the highest degree!” (Matthew 21:8; Mark 12:8) Palm Sunday is a day of remembrance.
When the throng chanted, Jesus did not dispute the vision they had in mind – the fulfillment of Israel’s expectations that He would be their earthly ruler, overthrowing the Roman administration.
One day, Jesus will return triumphantly as a powerful warrior in battle (Revelation 19:11–16), and the world will see him again.
Palm Sunday is a day for preparing one’s heart for the anguish of His Passion and the joy of His Resurrection, which will occur on Easter Sunday. According to Matthew 21:1-11,
- As they neared Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus dispatched two disciples, instructing them, “As you approach Jerusalem, come to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives.” “Go to the village ahead of you, and you will immediately come across a donkey tied to a tree with her colt by her side. Bring them to me after they’ve been untied. Whenever someone approaches you, tell them that the Lord requires their assistance. The Lord will dispatch the necessary personnel immediately.” This occurred in order to fulfill the prophecy given via the prophet: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey,'” which means “see, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.” The disciples followed Jesus’ instructions and performed what he had taught them to do. It was they who brought the donkey and the colt, and it was Jesus who sat on them with their cloaks on. A significant number of people stretched their cloaks over the road, while others chopped branches from the trees and put them on the road as a barrier. “Hosanna to the Son of David!” sang the throngs of people who had before him and those who had followed him. God’s blessing is upon him who enters by way of the name of Jesus Christ! “Hosanna in the highest!” exclaims the choir. When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, the entire city was ablaze with curiosity, asking, “Who is this?” “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee,” the masses said in response.
Find Out More! We have all sinned and are deserving of God’s wrath. God, the Father, sent His only Son to fulfill that judgment on behalf of all who place their faith in Him. According to the Bible, Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a spotless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, accepting the penalty that we deserved, was buried, and rose from the grave to show us His love for us. “Jesus is Lord,” you will be rescued from judgment and will spend forever with God in heaven if you genuinely accept and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, and announcing “Jesus is Lord.” What is your reaction to this?
Despite the fact that I am a disciple of Jesus, I continue to have questions.
What is Palm Sunday?
QuestionAnswer Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, which took place one week before His resurrection (Matthew 21:1–11), and is observed worldwide. As Jesus approached the sacred city, He was drawing closer to the conclusion of a lengthy trip that had led him to Golgotha. In Luke 19:10, he stated that he had come to save the lost, and now was the time—and now was the place—to accomplish that goal. Palm Sunday marked the beginning of what is commonly referred to as ” Passion Week,” which consisted of the final seven days of Jesus’ earthly mission.
- He dispatched two of his followers ahead towards the hamlet of Bethphage in order to locate an animal to ride.
- When they untied the colt, the owners became suspicious and began to investigate their actions.
- Surprisingly, the proprietors were happy with the response and allowed the followers to go.
- During Jesus’ ascension into Jerusalem, a vast crowd gathered around Him to witness His triumph.
- Because of the acts of the multitude along the road, “Palm Sunday” came to be known as such: In the middle of the road, a big group of people stretched their cloaks, while others chopped branches from the trees and spread them across the road” (Matthew 21:8).
- The fact that the branches they chopped were from palm trees is noted by John in his journal (John 12:13).
As a result of Jesus’ allusion to a Messianic psalm, several religious leaders in the audience expressed displeasure with him: “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd cried to Jesus, ‘Teacher, admonish your followers!'” (See Luke 19:39.) Those who spoke the truth, on the other hand, did not require Jesus’ admonition.
if they don’t speak out, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40).
/ Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
The prophesy had been fulfilled in every detail, and it was a moment of great celebration as the people of Jerusalem greeted their King.
The people were looking for a Messiah who would save them politically and set them free nationally, but Jesus had come to deliver them spiritually, not politically or nationally.
They were blind to the true reason for Jesus’ presence, even as the coatless masses waved the palm branches and shouted with joy in the streets.
In order to accomplish this, “as he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes,'” according to the Bible.
will not leave one stone upon another because you failed to recognize the time of God’s coming to you, according to Luke 19:41–47.
The same crowds that chanted “Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday chanted “Crucify Him!” later that week (Matthew 27:22–23), demonstrating their opposition to Jesus’ death.
That day is approaching.
Also, John records a scene in heaven that features the eternal celebration of the risen Lord: “There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
These palm-bearing saints will shout, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (verse 10), and who can measure sum of their joy? Palm Sunday Calendar: 2022 — April 102023 — April 22024 — March 24 Return to:Questions about Easter What is Palm Sunday?
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