Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday Rembrances

Palm Sunday.

The beginning of Holy Week, as it’s known in the church. On this Sunday we remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem, after three years of ministry throughout various parts of Israel. And even though it leads up to a very serious and somber week…the week we remember Jesus in the garden of Gethsemene, the mockery and pain he endured, his horrific death on the cross….it leads up to the most important event in Christianity. The resurrection of our Lord from death.

First, however, is Palm Sunday.

When I was a child, growing up in the Methodist tradition, we celebrated Palm Sunday by gathering a little early for church, near the gymnasium. We would all receive a palm frond. As we moved in a line, being led by children, from the gymnasium, through the narrow hallway past the Sunday School classrooms, and then up a set of stairs toward the sanctuary we would sing a hymn. Repeating the first verse and chorus we could hear the organ playing, the rich tones growing louder and louder, as we got closer to our destination. As we entered the sanctuary we would wave the palm fronds and sing even louder, going through all the verses and chorus of the hymn.

I wish I could remember what it was, but it was something familiar. A hymn we could all sing at least the first verse and chorus of until we got to the pews where the hymnals were located.

We would continue singing and waving the palm fronds, and in my imagination I could somehow identify with the children who must have been present as Jesus entered the city. How exciting that must have been. The man from Nazareth…the one who taught amazing new ideas about sin, repentance, love, and the kingdom of God. The one who healed the sick and injured. The teacher who blessed and loved little children. The man who could create enough food for thousands out of a few simple loaves of bread and fish. Who brought dead people back to life with a word. The man who confounded the teachers of the law with his words and wisdom. Jesus was coming!

Is it any wonder they through their cloaks on the ground before him. Is it surprising they would rejoice, waving palm fronds and crying "Hosannah!"?

Jesus was entering the Holy City.

He knew what he was going to do. He understood long before that ride on the donkey and the adulation of the people exactly what he would be facing only four days later…but he went anyway. Praise God…he went anyway.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a church that celebrates Palm Sunday, remembering the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into the capital city of Israel. But every time I truly take time to think about what it must have been like on that day, it still gives me pause. What a wonderful, amazing, and mighty God we serve.

Have a blessed day. And as you go into Holy Week, take a moment to praise God…because He has entered the city.