What is Palm Sunday and what does it have to do with Easter?
Palm Sunday was the first day of Holy week leading up to the Jewish holiday of Passover. Jesus rode on a donkey through the town of Jerusalem on His way to conquer death and bring us life through his sacrifice on the cross. We celebrate Palm Sunday to prepare out hearts for Easter.
It is increasingly easy to allow Easter Sunday to come and go without choosing to ponder the gift of salvation and the events leading up to the crucifixation and resurrection. Palm Sunday reminds us to to honor Jesus as King over all and to meditate on the week of His great sacrifice. We could not have the empty tomb if we did not have the cross, and we could not have the cross if Jesus did not willingly go to it in obedience to the Father. Palm Sunday in essence is Jesus’ act of obedience of going to the place where He would be our Sacrificial Lamb. He went in honor his way to die. We celebrate that Jesus chose to go to defeat sin and grand us His victory and peace.
What Does Palm Sunday have to Do with Easter and Why is it Important?
When the people shouted “Hosanna!” They were hailing Christ as King. That word actually means “Save now.”
Palm Sunday is significantly to Easter because it was the welcoming of the savior. The triumphal entry was a foreshadowing of the victorious resurrection.
John 12:13 says, “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!”
Morning prayer:
Father God, Your Word is true, and You are faithful. You promised salvation through the Messiah and today we remember that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of our promised Redeemer. We acknowledge our need for salvation from our sins and rejoice that Jesus is our Deliverer. We celebrate Him today as King and ask that his Kingdom comes in our lives, too. We praise You now and will praise You throughout the coming day, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Evening Prayer:
Father God, thank You that Jesus came humbly, riding on a donkey, proclaiming peace. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for peace in our times. Making us instruments of your peace and guide us in the ministry of reconciliation. Our hearts bring loves ones to mind who have yet to acknowledge Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for their own sins. May they find peace in You as we have, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
