Yesterday was Palm Sunday. There was a festive spirit in the air as we stepped into the church building and saw 30 or so children lined up with palm branches in their hands, all talking at once. Palm Sunday commemorates the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey shortly before the crucifixion and resurrection.
And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Matthew 21:8-9
There was something so powerful and sweet in seeing these children holding the palm branches, ready to re-enact the homage of the multitudes, passing out palm branches to some of us older multitudes as we came into the church. This was a big deal, a big day – and they knew it. Bless them for their contagious excitement!
The triumph of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was only temporarily overshadowed by the tragedy of the cross. The cries of “Hosanna” were only temporarily superseded by cries of “Crucify Him!” The palm branches were only temporarily replaced by a crown of thorns. From Triumph to Tragedy to Triumph again – all in one week.
Take up your palm branches and give homage to Jesus Christ, the Son of David.
Hosanna in the highest!
I’ll probably delete this, but you shouldn’t.
Lynniebeemuseoday 