Palm Sunday [ April 10th, 2022 ] also called Passion Sunday, in the Christian tradition, is the first day of Holy Week and the Sunday before Easter, commemorating Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is associated in many churches with the blessing and procession of palms.
As the story goes, Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem with His disciples to celebrate Passover. When they reached the Mount of Olives, He sent two of the disciples to retrieve a donkey colt for Him to ride. He instructed them to untie it, and if anyone asked them why they were doing so, to tell them that "The Lord Needs It." They did as He instructed and brought the colt to Him, laying their cloaks over it for Him to sit on it.
As He rode into the city, people spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road, proclaiming, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" The spectacle attracted the attention of those who knew nothing of Jesus, hated or rebuked Jesus' teaching, and those who had heard the news of Lazarus' return from the dead.
You must know that the entry into Jerusalem is documented in Matthew 21:1-9, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-38, and John 12: 12-17, with slight variations in each account.
In all accounts, Christ is shown great honor. We see garments down in front of Jesus and wave palm branches, a demonstration of victory, usually reserved for royalty. They shout "Hosanna," an expression of praise and adoration related to the Aramaic word for Savior, which echoes Psalm 118, which was traditionally sung at the temple during Jewish festivals.
Why does this matter? and why should you participate? Well, that's something that we will explore this weekend! We pray that you decide to join us on this day of the year's most important week. Don't worry about bringing your palms! #wegotyou
