Palm Sunday: Welcoming Christ through Praise

3/24/2024

by Amelia Gordon & Rain Pinneo

Scripture

Matthew 21:1-17

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.

Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Devotion

Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you. Isaiah 12:6 (TNIV)

Imagine what it must have been like on that Palm Sunday when Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. What made the people so happy and joyful? Was it just that they expected Jesus to free them from the Romans? Did they realize how He would triumph over sin and death? What exactly made them so happy to have Jesus there in Jerusalem?

After reflecting on the artwork, music, and poetry reflecting the beauty of Palm Sunday, I remembered one trip my parents made. They traveled for two weeks in Israel. Before they left, I didn’t think it would be that big a deal. I had left them at home for up to four weeks on trips, and while I missed them when I was the one gone, it hadn’t been a gut-wrenching type of loneliness.

But I hadn’t realized how lonely it would be for me without them in the house. All the places I was used to seeing them were empty. The things we used to do together were only hollow activities without them. We had often done our own things in separate rooms in the house—I would be working in my room while they watched television—but somehow, being in my room wasn’t the same because I knew they weren’t in the next room.

When they finally came home, I didn’t spread palm leaves on the floor as they walked into the house, but I did give them a big hug, enjoyed a meal together, and talked a mile a minute. I was incredibly happy just to have them there with me. The house felt different when I knew they weren’t home.

I think that is how the Israelites felt as they welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem—they were welcoming Him home. And similarly to how I felt when my parents were away, the Israelites had felt an overwhelming absence and emptiness when Christ was not with them. And so as we celebrate the welcoming of Christ this Palm Sunday, we must ask ourselves if our hearts feel the weight of absence when we are far from Christ. And whether or not our hearts celebrate his closeness and the joyous truth of his coming.

Artwork

“Hosanna” by Haley Miller

I love the perspective of this piece, almost as if you are a celebrating bystander that Jesus has locked eyes with on his way into Jerusalem. This painting feels so personal despite the blurred view through the palm fronds, and the assumed cacophony of cheering people. I also love how this piece, unlike many regarding Palm Sunday, focuses on Christ alone, and less on the people He was approaching.

Poetry

“A Poem for Palm Sunday” by The Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery

They waved palm branches as He passed
And hailed Him as their King;
Yet, they knew not of the sorrow
The coming week would bring.
The glad acclaim would soon give way
To jeers and mockery;
In Pilate’s court He’d be condemned
To a cross on Calvary.
But Jesus knew He was the price
In God’s redemptive plan,
The Sacrificial Lamb come down
To die for sins of man.
The centuries have passed and still
He seeks those lost in sin,
Pleading with unyielding hearts
To repent and follow Him.
On this day we shout our praise,
O, let us not delay;
The palm-strewn path of long ago
Still leads to Him today.

“A Poem for Palm Sunday” summarizes the story of Palm Sunday, while inviting perspective on the contrast of crowd behavior that would take place merely days later. We also loved how this poem maintains relevance and points directly back to how we can keep the message of Palm Sunday applicable every day all these years later.

Music

Hosanna by Hillsong Worship

I see the King of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes, yeah

I see His love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
I see a generation
Rising up to take their place

With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna in the highest
In the highest,in the highest
Hosanna ,Hosanna in the highest

This song directly points us to praise Jesus, singing “Hosanna” as the early Israelites did as they welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. This song invites our minds and hearts to welcome Christ into us as we worship him.

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Palm Sunday: Welcoming Christ through Praise

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