4 Significant Things to Think About on Palm Sunday

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."  -Zechariah 9:9  

                                                                                                              

"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

 “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

 

                                                                                                                        

 

So what else is significant!? 

Well first, do you know all the symbolism of Palm Sunday? 

1. When Jesus was carried into the city on a donkey it showed His humility. Donkeys represent peace; The One, True King on an animal of peace... when most kings would ride in on a horse (a proud animal which symbolizes war). So why does this matter? Jesus riding in on a donkey was a sign of His Kingship.... He was bringing peace and He was going to save us from sin and death.

2. The people of the city laid palm leaves at the feet of Jesus when He rode in. Palm leaves symbolize joy, peace, and triumph. They knew He was the Messiah come to save them. They knew He would prevail. 

3. The people also shouted "Hosanna" which originated from the word meaning "save". The word Hosanna also means gratitude, joy, and praise... more specifically gratitude for salvation. The people were basically shouting "Pray, Save us!". The people knew Jesus would save them, but they didn't know He would have to die. He took our place. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He paid the debt we could never re-pay.

4. In Luke 19:41-42 it says, 

"And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes."

Jesus wept... The same people who placed palm leaves before Him, laid their coats on the dirty ground for Him to pass over! They shouted, "Hosanna, Save us Now!" The very same people who did all of these things for Jesus, would also be the very people who would soon turn their backs on Him. 

                                                                                                                        

A sidenote : 

Something I like to think about is how Jesus used the donkey on that day. Donkeys are stubborn, dis-regarded, and humble, and yet it was used to carry a Savior. I remember this when I feel like I am unworthy to be used by God. He can use every one of us for HIS GLORY! How great and wonderful it is to be loved by Him! 

How might God use you this week? Could you be the small gesture of kindness to help the person struggling to know they are loved by God? Could you be the warm welcome on a Sunday to the person feeling they are completely alone? How about even a simple "How can I pray for you?" because we don't always know someone's inner battles....

Don't ever say God can't use you... God can use even the lowliest of creatures for the furtherance of His Kingdom! 

Have a wonderful week! - Grace Taylor

 

If you need a reminder for who YOU are IN CHRIST, I love to keep this tile on my desk.....