Question #2 Why the palm branches?

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week, those days leading to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

First, let’s look at the gospels’ accounts.

Matthew 21: ⁶And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, ⁷And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. ⁸And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. ⁹And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Mark 11:⁷ And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. ⁸And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. ⁹And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: ¹⁰Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

John 12:¹²On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, ¹³Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. ¹⁴And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, ¹⁵Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. ¹⁶These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

Remember the Jews were under the dominion of Rome. Romans traditionally honored rank with branches or palms. They waived palms and laid them on the ground for the war hero or high official or game champions to walk upon.

Open the Gates of the Temple- Frances Jane Crosby
Open the gates of the Temple, Strew palms on the Conqueror’s way

Open your hearts, O ye people, That Jesus may enter today

Hark! from the sick and the dying, Forgetting their couches of pain,

Voices, glad voices, with rapture Are swelling, are swelling, are swelling a glad refrain,

Voices, glad voices, with rapture Are swelling a glad, a glad refrain.

Open the gates of the Temple, One grand hallelujah be heard.

Open your hearts to the Saviour, Make room for the crucified Lord.

Tears and the anguish of midnight Are lost in the splendor of day.

They who in sorrow once doubted Are swelling, are swelling, are swelling a glad refrain,

They who in sorrow once doubted Are swelling the glad, the glad refrain.

I know, I know, I know, I know that my Redeemer liveth.

Canst thou, my heart, lift up thy voice, thy voice and sing:

I know, I know, yes I know that my Redeemer liveth;

And because He lives, and because He lives, And because He lives, I too, I too, I too shall live.

Questions for Reflection

• What rank do you assign to Jesus?
• Do you see Jesus as your King?
• Do you have reasons to praise and honor Jesus?

Our focus = Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our challenge = Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti