Why Christians celebrate Palm Sunday
By Pastor Brian Sherwood
The meaning behind the Christian celebration of both Christmas and Easter is commonly known. Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ while Easter celebrates His resurrection from the dead. What is less commonly understood is the significance of Palm Sunday. So, what is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday is the Sunday prior to Easter. It commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem as recorded in all four Gospel accounts (Mark 1:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19). Jesus enters Jerusalem on the Sunday before He was to be crucified, riding on a small donkey that had never been ridden before. This fulfilled a prophecy from the Old Testament in Zephaniah 9:9 which predicted this entire event. As He comes into the city, the crowd enthusiastically receives Him by removing their outer garment robes and laying them down in the path Jesus entered upon.
Along with their robes, the crowd also cuts off leaves from surrounding palm trees and spread these branches down beside their coats. The crowd follows a traditional custom in Eastern culture when a significant guest such as a monarch or king was welcomed into a community as he walked onto garments or leaves laid before him so he would not have to walk on the ground. Jesus comes riding into town on these palm leaves and thus we commemorate “Palm Sunday.”
What makes this occurrence so significant is the symbolism found in this public demonstration recognizing that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, God’s chosen servant who would save His people from their sins. Most people believe that Palm Sunday was originally celebrated around the fourth or fifth century. While many Christian denominations give recognition to Palm Sunday the week before Easter, there is no doubt Easter is the primary celebration. The question is, “should Palm Sunday be given emphasis and recognition by followers of Jesus Christ?” Not only is the answer to that question, “yes,” but Palm Sunday teaches every Christian several truths about Jesus and our relationship with Him.
Palm Sunday reminds each believer that Jesus deserves our enthusiasm to serve Him and live for Him with the same passion and fervor the Jerusalem crowd welcomed Him with. Palm Sunday also teaches us to give Jesus our best in all our worship of Him. Just as the people laid their own coats down before Him, how much should we be willing to give of ourselves and our possessions in worship of Him? Finally, Palm Sunday prompts us to praise Him for who He is, what He has done, and what He continues to do for us. As the crowd shouts, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,” we are reminded of the many reasons to praise Him in our own lives no matter what the circumstances or difficulties we live through. Palm Sunday not only prepares us for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, it calls us to live for Him with passion every moment of every hour. Hosanna in the highest!
Pastor Brian Sherwood is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Darlington.