Tomorrow is known as Palm Sunday and represents the beginning of the Holy Week when Jesus first rode into Jerusalem in a seemingly “triumphant entry” but which ended in His brutal crucifixion (Good Friday) and eventual resurrection (Easter Sunday).
John’s Gospel (12:13) tells us that: “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
This was a direct fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9. The people were excited because they expected Jesus to begin an earthly, temporal kingdom, ending Rome’s cruel reign over them. However, God had something much larger in mind – a Heavenly and eternal kingdom.
So why Palm leaves? One study Bible says that they were a symbol of Jewish nationalism.
The first mention of Palms in the Bible is Exodus 15:27 when, after escaping Egypt, the children of Israel camped at Elim where there were “twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees”. Later we see that King Solomon carved many palm trees into the temple that he built for the Lord (1 Kings 6). He then plated them with gold.
The vast majority of people at Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem did not believe in Him as the suffering Saviour but rather expected a great and immediate political victory from Him. All the while, Jesus knew in His heart that this week would end in the passion and agony of the cross and the utter abandonment of most of these people. Yet He persevered because of His undying love for us and His desire to see all people saved into the Heavenly Kingdom.
In the last book of the Bible we see the true celebration – after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ – when “a great multitude…from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages…” cry out “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Jesus).” Revelation 7:9-10
Guess what they were holding in their hands while worshiping and celebrating the Lord? Palm branches.
After the entry into Jerusalem, Jesus said of Himself: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth (referring to the crucifixion), will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32 It is time, my friends, to draw near to God, even in His suffering, so that we may also rejoice with Him at the end of all things.
