Palm Sunday

When I was a young girl, my Grandmother always wanted me to visit her on Palm Sunday. She loved seeing the children waving palm branches and hearing Hosannas. The hymns we sang were old familiar ones: “Holy, Holy, Holy”; “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name”; and “This is the Day the Lord Hath Made”. I can remember sitting in the back of my Granddaddy’s car and singing them on the way home, too.

My Grandmother believed church was a place to worship and honor God. Always wearing her Sunday best, I seldom remember her without a hat and gloves there. She was a Southern lady that could have written a book on etiquette. We were expected to be on our best behavior at all times and never use “ugly” language. I think of her often but especially today. Grandmother always wished she could have been in that crowd to see Jesus on the First Palm Sunday. She admitted she had no idea what she would have done, but she wanted to be there.  Me, too.

Now today we celebrate Palm Sunday.  Just the thought of it brings a big smile to my face and warmth to my heart.  Jesus rode triumphantly into the city of Jerusalem on a young donkey many years ago.  This was foretold by scripture, and we are still celebrating it. The streets were lined with people who threw clothes and palms or small branches in front of Him as a sign of homage and respect. This was what people did for kings. Lined the road with cloth, palms, and clothes so they would not get dusty and dirty.  The crowd was recognizing Jesus as King and honoring Him like royalty. Using palm branches symbolized peace and victory.  Jesus was coming in peace, triumphantly.  He knew the outcome so He came in victory, too.  The crowd of people shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Wow, can you imagine the scene? The happiness that surrounded the area would have been phenomenal. Here comes Jesus, their long awaited Messiah. God’s Son was right there before them. Hearts must have been beating wildly at the anticipation of seeing Him, and when they finally did, oh the love that filled each body. Thoughts must have been running all over wondering what to do. Should I stand, bow, wave, kneel? Tears surely filled many eyes. They fill mine just picturing it. How amazing it must have been to see Jesus. He was the one that raised the dead back to life and healed the sick. He was the teacher everyone spoke of reverently. Jesus changed lives. He still does today.

The week between now and Easter is known as Holy Week. Each day plays a part in the recorded history of Jesus’ Resurrection. Today, I want to remember His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Like the people long ago did, I, also, want to sing His praises and worship Him as the true Messiah. Do you?  Have you?  Let’s do it together.  Do you know “This is the Day the Lord Hath Made”?  Great!  We’ll start with that one.

If you were there at that first Palm Sunday, what would you have done? Can you just imagine?  The donkey with Jesus on its back is coming down the road.  Quick!  What will you do?  Kneel, sing, cry happy tears, or try to touch Him?  It makes me think of Heaven and what we will do when we finally see Jesus.   Like the Mercy Me song:

“…Surrounded by Your glory, What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus, Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence, Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine, I can only imagine…..”

What will you do? Can you imagine seeing Him face to face?  How will you worship Him?

“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” John 12:12-13