The Sunday before Good Friday has been designated as Palm Sunday on the Christian calendar worldwide. It is in celebration of the day when Christ Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem as the triumphant king of Israel. As Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem, the apostle John who was an eyewitness recounted the event in John 12: 13, so the people took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord – – King of Israel!”
The people were in expectation of a King who would liberate Israel from Roman domination. A multitude of them found that person to be Christ Jesus. Therefore, it was a joyful day of hope for victory, and worthy of celebrating as God’s people. The biblical account raises three observations, first, they celebrated with palm branches in accordance with their religious tradition; second they went out to meet Jesus and to usher him into their mists; third, they shouted Hosanna with blessings upon Jesus without restraint. Today, we also celebrate the day in a similar fashion which is biblical.
Why palm branches?
When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, he made the people to live in booths, Leviticus 23: 43. God instructed that, the event of living in booths must be celebrated with fruits of majestic trees, palm branches, boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook as a day of rejoicing before the LORD and it was to be kept throughout the generations, Leviticus 23: 40-41.
The branches therefore signified victory over their enemies as the Lord commanded them to observe. On Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the people therefore found it awesome and appropriate to celebrate what marked the beginning of their long expected victory over their enemies through their king Jesus. However, rather than a violent physical overthrow, Jesus rode on a donkey to signify a gentle and humble change or redemption of all souls of which he was the king.
How to celebrate Palm Sunday
As we celebrate the occasion with palm branches, we must be reminded of the victory and liberation of the soul that awaits us when we acknowledge and embrace Jesus. We must step out to welcome Christ Jesus into our hearts, lives and our midst just as the people stepped out to meet Jesus. We must identify with Jesus in public and private without equivocation just as the people shouted Hosanna and blessed the name of the Lord without shame or restraint. The people sacrificed their engagements in order to welcome Jesus. We must also sacrifice in order to make Jesus feel welcome.
Solomon in his desire to achieve the peak and finest of a joyful life wrote in Song of Solomon 7: 8, I will climb the palm tree and lay hold of its branches. Solomon wanted to experience God’s joy at first hand. Our desire must also be to experience the purest of God’s joyous presence by making personal efforts to welcome Jesus as our king of righteousness during our celebrations. Jesus came to liberate our souls from captivity, Luke 4: 18. The saints in heaven waved palm branches in their hands before Christ Jesus the Lamb, Revelation 7: 9. Our Hosanna must be genuine with the branches of purity.
Jesus fulfilled prophecy
On that day of entering Jerusalem, Jesus was hailed as the King of Israel in fulfillment of prophecy which was referred to in John 12: 14-15, Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion, look your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt. Just as the festival of the booths was to be celebrated on the first day of the seventh month for a week, so must we also celebrate Christ Jesus the first day of Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem, seven days in a week in our hearts, and throughout the seventy or eighty years of life which God has graciously given us, Psalms 90: 10. It is not a day for reckless living but a day of welcoming Christ into our midst to save us.
Which people said hosanna to Jesus?
A variety of people and groups hailed Jesus for different reasons. There were people who did not understand the event yet hailed Jesus. An example is the disciples of Jesus although they had walked with Jesus for a while, John 12: 16. Many of us do not know or understand Jesus but follow the crowd. Our shouting Hosanna will be meaningless without understanding Jesus.
May said Hosanna because Jesus was a miracle worker and hoped to benefit from his miracles, John 12: 18. Jesus is not a miracle worker but a redeemer whose word of life restores what has been destroyed by sin, Joel 2: 25. This is what we call miracles, signs and wonders. All powers and authorities are subject to him, Ephesians 1: 20-23. Christ is the power of God, 1 Corinthians 1: 24. Many of us follow Jesus because of miracles but that will not save. Jesus said in Matthew 6: 33 strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Others hailed Jesus with grave indignation and cynicism, John 12: 19. They patiently waited to trap him so they would put him to death. Jesus said in Mark 14: 49 day and night I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled. Not everyone who associates with Jesus has good intentions. Jesus said in Matthew 7: 15, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. The devil disguises himself as an angel of light, 2 Corinthians 11: 14.
Some hailed Jesus for political reasons thinking he was to overthrow the Roman government. The people asked Jesus in John 10: 24-25, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me. Some of us hail Jesus for political agenda yet with a sinful heart. This is not the purpose of Jesus’s entry into our hearts. We must be careful how we manipulate the gospel.
True and genuine hearts also shouted Hosanna, John 12: 20-21. Paul said in Romans 10: 9, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. In Matthew 16: 16; Mark 14: 61 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus’ identity was not in doubt for even demons confessed the truth helplessly, Luke 4: 41, “You are the Son of God. Martha confessed in John 11: 27, Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world. Which of the groups do we belong to?
Was Jesus troubled?
Yes because that was Satan’s plan to derail Jesus. Jesus said in John 12: 27-28, “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’ No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name. Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” God however glorified his name and will continue to glorify himself even in our darkest hour when we call on him.
We are often tempted to lose focus and faith in God when trouble comes. God’s promise is unchanging just as he never changes. Until he says it is over, we must trust him at his word. No darkness can overwhelm God’s light. God answered Jesus to show us that he will answer us if we are with Jesus. Jesus said John 15: 7, if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. On this momentous occasion, let us abode in Jesus that he may receive our Hosanna!
Prayer Dear Lord Jesus Christ, as we shout Hosanna, please prepare our hearts to welcome you with a sincere heart into our lives. Accept our welcome, come and stay with us and dine with us so it may be well with us. As we shout Hosanna, let our joys and our hope be full in you. As we bless your holy name, bless us in return with your saving grace and make us also triumphant over sin. We lay our treasures at your feet, blessed Jesus, employ them to your glory in your love. We pray in your holy name, Amen!
