The Significance of Palm Sunday

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” John 12:13b

“Thirsty hearts are those whose longings have been wakened by the touch of God within them.” A.W. Tozer

 

  •  Take a few moments to quiet your spirit before the Lord. Sit in the stillness and ask the Lord to create in you a clean heart. Rest in His presence. Remember who He is. Just be still.
  • Read John 12: 12-18. Write in your journal anything that stands out.

As I began to read the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a few things seemed peculiar to me. As a child, I held palm branches and yelled, “Hosanna!” I really didn’t know the true meaning of those actions; I just did it. I have to wonder if some of the people, who had journeyed to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival, held the palm branches and yelled, “Hosanna,” but wondered why. What was so significant about this moment? In Jesus’ time on earth, palm branches meant triumph or honor. It was a political statement indicating that they were saved. Their hero, Jesus, was believed to be the one who would rescue them from their current suffering under Roman rule. In fact, the term they yelled, “Hosanna,” means “save now please.” Initially, the word had a deep meaning of God’s power to save. Hosanna then transitioned into a joyous shout of praise or victory. We realize that the crowd was throwing and swaying palm branches and shouting “Hosanna” because they thought Jesus was going to save them immediately. We know from John 12:17-18, that the crowd had known and experienced miracles firsthand–they had seen Jesus in action. So what changed? How did they go from believing that Jesus was going to save them to nailing Him on the cross?

Personally, I think the crowd had little knowledge of Jesus. They only wanted what He could do for them and knew not who He was. Luke 19:41 tells us that Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Why did He weep? He wept because He could see their rejection. They didn’t understand that Jesus was coming to save them from themselves. They couldn’t see how they needed a Savior to rescue them from their personal sins. They thought someone, Jesus, would come and wipe out all of their enemies. They didn’t want any more hardships; they wanted the easy road.

In contrast, Jesus wanted to save their souls. He wanted to empower them to love their enemies and overcome the world as He has overcome the world. Jesus wanted the narrow road and He wanted a relationship. He wants you…every bit of you. He doesn’t want to be a genie in a bottle. He wants to walk this life with you and teach you, encourage you, rebuke you, and love you. He wants you to know who He is.

Blessings,

Susan

Questions to Ponder

  • In your opinion, who is God?
  • What are some of God’s greatest characteristics that have been displayed in your life?
  • Are you striving for a relationship with God? Or do you prefer a checklist of do’s and don’ts?

Faith-Filled Ideas

Read all four Gospel accounts of the Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19). Compare and contrast in your journal using columns.

 

Easter Day 11 Graphic

 

Susan Proctor
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14 Comments on “The Significance of Palm Sunday”

  1. Thanks you sooooo much for sharing your heart and your wisdom with the Help Club Susan. I love this Bible study! It’s so wonderful to learn more about Palm Sunday. ❤

  2. This study brings a question to light: Do I look at what Jesus can do, and miss who He truly is? Along with that, I loved the question to ponder, “Are you striving for a relationship with God? Or do you prefer a checklist of dos and don’ts?” I want to know Jesus, have intimacy and fellowship with Him. Beautiful study Susan!

    1. Thank you Mari Jo! God has really stretched me lately with His out of the box responses to our needs! He always is..no more and no less! He does exactly what is our best.

  3. Luke 19:41 is one my favorite verses because it not only reveals Jesus’ love and compassion, but the devastation He felt over the loss of His people. Thank you for sharing.

    1. That verse has really struck my heart. The very people who would reject Him, He wept over. What an amazing example of “loving your enemies.”

  4. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom with us Susan! I love how you focused on the desire of our Lord’s heart and how His desire is always to have a relationship with us!! He is so amazing!

    1. He is amazing! I love the strength, love, and encouragement He gives me when I sit and rest in HIM! He just wants us!

  5. “He wants to walk this life with you and teach you, encourage you, rebuke you and love you. He wants you to know who He is.”. Beautiful!!

    I love how Jesus wants a relationship with us! The fact that He doesn’t just want a little bit of us, but all of us just shows how much He lives us! Thank you so much Susan for sharing this wisdom with us and for helping me to see Palm Sunday through new eyes. This is such a beautiful study!!

    1. My eyes were open too! As I read the gospel accounts of Palm Sunday, I learned many valuable lessons!

  6. Thank you Susan for this Bible study! What you wrote really touched me and also convicted me. I have been a Christian for a long time, but it is still hard sometimes to remember that Jesus didn’t come to “make my life easier.” He wants a narrow road; a relationship. That is what you wrote. I love that!

    Jesus wants to come alongside us and empower and teach us to love others and have faith. He is not walking in front of us wiping out our enemies and making things run smoothly for us. This was a great reminder to me this morning. God bless you! 🙂

    1. Thank you Rachel! I am very much in awe of all that God has gone through for us to love through relationship!

    1. Thank you Tara. God’s Word is always living and active and can teach us so much if we just sit and rest in Him!

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