Significance of Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 2, 2023
ray@crossroadsny.org
Palm Sunday is a Christian celebration commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem and marks the beginning of the Holy Week leading to Resurrection Sunday.
Palm Sunday Facts:
The donkey symbolizes peace.
The palm branch symbolizes victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life.
Palm Sunday is connected to specific Old Testament prophecies.(Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 62:11; Psalm 118)
Palm Sunday is mentioned in all four Gospels. ( Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19)
1. Palm Sunday is a reminder to accept God’s appointments and assignments
Luke 19:28-36 / ESV, “And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.”
First Thessalonians 5:24 / CSB, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
2. Palm Sunday is a reminder to anticipate joy robbers
Luke 19:37-39 / ESV, “As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
Philippians 4:4 / CSB, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
**3. Palm Sunday is a reminder to adjust my thoughts from temporal to eternal matters.
Luke 19:40-42/ ESV, “He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
Revelation 7:9-10, “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!”
My next steps
Read: Matt. 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19
Memorize: First Thessalonians 5:24
Prayerfully evaluate my giving
Return for Easter and invite a guest, Services: 9 am & 11 am.