6 Things You Did Not Know About Palm Sunday

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Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and begins Holy Week, also known as Passion Week. It is the day that Christians celebrate the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, an event recorded in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11: 1-11, Luke 19:28-44 and John 12:12-19. On that day, as Jesus and His disciples traveled toward Jerusalem, Jesus sent two disciples ahead to locate a donkey. They returned with the donkey and spread their cloaks on it, and then Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey. When He did, cro3wds gathered, spreading their clothes and branches on the ground and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel” (John 12:13). Making a path with garments or branches was a customary way of honoring a person (2 Kings 9:13), similar to laying out a red carpet in modern times. In essence, the people were praising Jesus and asking Him to be their Messiah, though likely in a political context rather than a spiritual context. Sadly, less than a week later, the same people shouting “Hosanna” would shout “Crucify Him” (John 19:6). Interested in learning more about Jesus’ triumphal entry? Here are six things you didn’t know about Palm Sunday.

Palms Were a Symbol of Goodness and Victory

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God’s Word tells us the people cut palm branches and waved them in the air, laid them out on the ground before Jesus rode into the city. The palm branch represented goodness, well-being and victory and was symbolic of the final victory He would soon fulfill over death. 1 Corinthians 15:55 says, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” Palm branches were often depicted on coins and important buildings. King Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the temple (1 Kings 6:29). Again, at the end of the Bible, people of every nation raised palm branches to honor Jesus. Scripture tells us, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing robes and were holding palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9).

Jesus Fulfilled Old Testament Prophecy

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Jesus chose to ride in on a donkey, which directly fulfilled Old Testament prophecy of Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, daughter Zion! Shout, daughter Jerusalem! See your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” In biblical times, it was common for kings and important people to arrive by a procession riding on a donkey. The donkey symbolized peace, so those who chose to ride them showed that they came with peaceful intentions. Jesus, even then, reminded us that He is the Prince of Peace. When people shouted “Hosanna!” they were hailing Christ as King. That word actually means “save now” and though in their minds they waited for an earthly king, God had a different way in mind of bringing true salvation to all who would trust in Him.

Jesus Wept For Jerusalem

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The Bible says that Jesus wept for Jerusalem. In the midst of the praise of the moment, He knew in His heart that it wouldn’t be long that these same people would turn their backs on Him, betray Him, and crucify Him. His heart broke with the reality of how much they needed a Savior. Luke 19:41-42 says, “As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it, and said, ‘If you, even you had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes. Here, wept is the same word used to describe the weeping of Mary and others in John 11:333, so we know that Jesus cried aloud in anguish over the future of the city.

Many Churches Celebrate Palm Sunday With Reenactments

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Today, many churches celebrate Palm Sunday with reenactments of the triumphal entry. Catholic churches often bless palm branches with holy water and then distribute them to congregants. These palm branches are then saved for us following Ash Wednesday. In regions where palm branches are not readily available, branches of other trees are used. Some areas have developed other rather interesting traditions related to Palm Sunday. In Latvia, Palm Sunday is called “Pussy Willow Sunday” because pussy willows, rather than palms are used, and children are traditionally awoken with a swipe of a willow. In the Netherlands, celebrants decorate crosses with candy and bread in the shape of a rooster. In Poland, competitions for the largest or most beautiful palm branches are common.

Palm Branches Are Not Thrown Out

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After leaving church on Palm Sunday, you’ve likely come home with several long Palm branches from the celebration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Also, you may have wondered what happens to palms after Palm Sunday. Because the palms are blessed, they cannot simply be thrown out as rubbish or discarded. Instead, the palms are burned after being used during the Palm Sunday service and the ashes are used to mark parishioner’s foreheads on the next Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. Over the years, many people have used the palm branches to decorate their homes. It could be as simple as tucking them behind a religious painting or crucifix, or as complex as making them into a palm rose.