Palm Sunday - What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when crowds welcomed Him with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna,” as described in all four Gospels. This act fulfilled prophecy and symbolized both honor and peace, as Jesus rode in not on a warhorse, but on a donkey. While many expected a political savior, Jesus came as the true Messiah offering spiritual salvation. Today, churches around the world mark the occasion with ceremonies and symbolic traditions, reflecting on its deep meaning. Palm Sunday challenges us to receive Jesus not just with outward enthusiasm, but with genuine faith and surrender to His kingship.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Making a path with garments or branches, as the people did when Jesus entered into Jerusalem during the Triumphal entry, was a customary way of honoring a person (2 Kings 9:13), similar to laying out a red carpet in modern times. Palm branches were seen as symbolic of victory. Interestingly, in ancient Egypt palm branches were used in funeral processions to represent eternal life. In Eastern tradition a donkey symbolizes coming in peace; it is used in place of a war horse to make the distinction. In essence, the people were praising Jesus and asking Him to be their Messiah, though likely in a political context rather than in a spiritual context.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and begins Passion Week. It is the day that Christians celebrate Jesus' "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem, an event recorded in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19.
• On Palm Sunday, as Jesus and His disciples traveled toward Jerusalem, Jesus sent two disciples ahead to find a donkey (Matthew 21:1-2). They brought the donkey to Him, placed their cloaks on it, and Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey (Matthew 21:6-7).
• When Jesus came into Jerusalem, crowds gathered, spreading their clothes and branches (John specifies palm branches) on the ground and shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" (John 12:13). "Hosanna" is a term of praise that also carries with it a cry for salvation or help. Sadly, less than a week later, the same people shouting "Hosanna" would shout "Crucify him" (John 19:6).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Palm Sunday reminds us to welcome Jesus as King with genuine faith, not just emotion. True worship recognizes who He truly is, even when His ways are unexpected.

Today, many churches celebrate Palm Sunday with reenactments of the triumphal entry. Catholic churches often bless palm branches with holy water and distribute them to congregants. These palm branches are then saved for use the following Ash Wednesday. In regions where palm branches are not readily available, branches of other trees are used.

Palm Sunday challenges us to examine how we receive Jesus in our lives. Are we honoring Him only when life goes our way, or are we trusting Him as King even when His path leads through suffering and sacrifice? Just as the crowds praised Jesus for what they hoped He would do, we must learn to follow Him for who He is—our Savior and Lord, not merely a deliverer from earthly trouble. Welcoming Him daily means laying down our pride, our plans, and our assumptions, and submitting to His peaceful, powerful rule in every part of life.

Revelation 7:9-10 is a beautiful complement to what we celebrate when remembering Jesus' triumphal entry: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" Indeed, Jesus is the one capable of saving us. He is our Messiah, Prince of Peace, and also King of Kings.

UNDERSTAND

• Palm Sunday begins Passion Week with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
• On Palm Sunday, the crowds honored Jesus with palm branches and cries of "Hosanna," expecting a deliverer.
• Palm Sunday challenges us to welcome Jesus with sincere faith, trusting Him as King even when His path leads through suffering, and worshiping Him for who He truly is.

REFLECT

• How do you respond when Jesus doesn’t meet your expectations? Do you still trust Him as your King?
• In what areas of your life might you be offering Jesus outward praise without inward surrender?
• What does it look like for you to lay down your own “branches” to welcome Jesus as King of your life?

ENGAGE

• What does the fact that the same crowds who shouted “Hosanna” later shouted “Crucify Him” reveal about human expectations of Jesus?
• How can we as believers encourage each other to worship Jesus for who He truly is, not just for what we want Him to do?
• How does Palm Sunday challenge the way we think about expectations today?