“The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet Him. They kept shouting: ‘Hosanna! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One — the King of Israel!'”
The Sunday before Easter . . .
The Sunday before Easter . . . congregations sing Hosanna! while children wave palm branches in church aisles. It’s the day we remember the Triumphal Entry, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.
On that day, an impromptu parade broke out. Like a flash mob of singers and dancers. Filling the streets with shouts of praise: Jesus is coming!
The same Jesus who commanded the wind and the waves.
The same Jesus who healed the hurting and restored the broken.
While the people sang and danced, Jesus rode that donkey into Jerusalem, knowing the cross was ahead. And He kept going anyway.
Today, we can look back at history and know what’s coming . . . Easter is coming.
But we can also look ahead and know what’s coming still . . . Jesus is coming. Again.
And we celebrate, not only on Palm Sunday, but every day. Because we know He’s coming again. He’s coming to bring His people home. And to set all wrongs right.
I can’t think of a better reason to sing Hosanna!
Today. And every day.
Do you have a tradition for remembering the Triumphal Entry?
Denise,
I taught Sunday School for many years and did Palm Sunday lessons with my own kids. There is something truly joyous about a child waving an actual palm branch. I was and am always reminded that in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must become like little children…to have their faith and trust. I suppose I’m never too old to wave a palm branch…because I know the end of the story! Jesus IS coming! Thanks for reminding me of that glorious fact.
Blessings this Sunday,
Bev
Denise,
Jesus is coming & soon I pray!! I want to wave a palm branch, raise my hands high & yell hosanna, hallelujah Praise the Lord loudly! You see I’ve seen a miracle happen lately!! My aging dad who was on hospice and not doing well is now doing very good (90). He’s out of hospital & back into assisted living!!! Yes!!! Come Easter Sunday come! Come sweet Jesus come!!
Blessings 🙂
I can remember holding small palm crosses every Palm Sunday mass in Ohio. I couldn’t fully comprehend then the significance of the woven token. Now, I’m grateful for the memory and for the fuller realization of the meaning of Palm Sunday. Jesus is coming! I thank God he came for me and it’s my passion to tell other women that He is coming for them!
“While the people sang and danced, Jesus rode that donkey into Jerusalem, knowing the cross was ahead. And He kept going anyway.”
I think of how Jesus came into Jerusalem on the donkey and am so thankful that he came. I am thankful that he decided to come even with the pain and suffering and death he would soon face. I’m thankful for this time of year that we can celebrate what HE has done for us. I’m thankful that we can praise HIM everyday that we breath because of his love.
Thank you for sharing a beautiful post this Palm Sunday.