When someone asked me to explain Palm Sunday, my heart just burst with excitement! 
I exclaimed, “It’s the start of a week that changed everything!” Palm Sunday wasn’t just a random event; it was a crucial part of God’s divine plan—a declaration of “Jesus is King!” that resonates through eternity.

This entry into Jerusalem for Passover is often called the triumph of Christ. And it truly was—a triumph of humility over pride and of love and gentleness triumphing over anger and harm.

In Matthew 21, we see Jesus instructing His disciples. He sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’

All four Gospels record this significant day. As Mark notes, “The colt had never been ridden before” (Mark 11:2), which adds a layer of insight into why Jesus included its mother; the noise and excitement of the crowd could be overwhelming for such a young animal.

In Matthew 21:5, we find a precious reminder of prophecy:

“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” This incredible prophecy was spoken in Zechariah 9:9, written 500 years before Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem.

All of this was done to fulfill what the prophet declared in Zachariah 

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.

But why didn’t He choose a horse? 

God’s commandments in Deuteronomy 17:16-17 warned Israel’s kings against accumulating horses, wives, or wealth. This was to guard their hearts from turning away from Him and remind them to rely on God’s protection rather than human power. These guidelines were meant to prevent pride and dependence on pagan influences.

Jesus lived in complete obedience to His Father’s commands, embodying humility and faithfulness. 

Side note: isn’t it fascinating that donkeys are mentioned 150 times in the Bible? 
  • Palm Sunday is recorded in all four Gospels. 
  • The Lord’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem 
  • Palm Sunday marks a pivotal moment as Jesus and His disciples approached Jerusalem for Passover.

He was fully aware of the challenges ahead—scriptures like Isaiah 53:5 and Zechariah 12:10 foretold His pain and sacrifice. He knew the religious leaders would arrest and crucify Him. Yet, He entered with courage, choosing a donkey’s colt over a horse and chariot, proclaiming peace and humility rather than pride and rage. 

I wanted to give you the Hebrew word definition for “moved,” and it really shows how some of the people must’ve felt.

Matthew 21:10 says that the crowd was so moved when Jesus entered. The Hebrew word for “moved” is seiō—meaning to shake or tremble with reverential fear. 

Imagine the scene—the crowd laying their clothes, waving palm branches, shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Their voices mingled with fear, hope, and awe, searching—asking, “Who is this?”

So, How will you feel this Palm Sunday?

Imagine if you were there, just as he humbly entered Jerusalem that day. So wave your hands like palm branches with hearts filled with gratitude for King Jesus.

I’ve included this study help:

Study Help: The Triumphal Entry of Jesus (Here is a summary)

It was a day filled with shouts, yet it painted a beautiful picture of peace. But let’s be real: His entry could have been their perfect peace, but it become pressure waiting to burst.

In the Triumphal Entry, the Bible gives us a special glimpse of peace in Luke 19:38, where the disciples joyfully proclaim, “Peace in Heaven and Glory in the Highest!” Yet, just a litter later, as Jesus nears Jerusalem, He looks upon the city with a heavy heart and says in Luke 19:42, “If you had known…the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”

However, they misunderstood His mission, expecting a political king to overthrown Rome, rather than a spiritual savior who would die on a cross, to save their souls.

Jesus created space for all the feelings He challenged the norms, gently pushing beyond the confines of religion, without any hint of violence. He presented himself as the answer for their deepest cries, revealed in the very scriptures they recited daily.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He wept. Luke 19:41-44 tells us that while hailed as King, He stood over the city and mourned for what was to come — it’s destruction and the hearts that failed to see Him as their Savior.

They would soon reject this truth, even after so much was given to them. The tears He shed were not just for a city; they were for every heart that sought a political savior instead of the true spiritual peace He offered.

Picture this moment: On Palm Sunday, from the Mount of Olives, He gazed down at Jerusalem. He foresaw the heartache that lay ahead in 70 AD, a consequence of their refusal to accept Him. In His prophecy, He warned that enemies would encircle the city, leaving “Not one stone upon another.” This moment reflects His deep compassion and sorrow for those who couldn’t believe and would suffer for it.

Let’s remember the details that make this significant. In Luke 19:38, we hear a proclamation that mirrors the angelic praise of Luke 2:14 during the celebration of His entry. while other accounts like Matthew 21 and Mark 11 emphasize the cry for salvation with “Hosanna,” Luke uniquely underscores both the offering of peace and the pain of rejection.

Key Verses

Matthew 21:1–11. Key verses include the crowd’s cry, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” 

Zechariah 9:9—! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Key Verses summary:

Matthew 21:9

When the crowd shouted “Hosanna” and “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” on Palm Sunday, they were identifying Jesus as the promised Messiah,

Key Phrase: “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

John 12:13

As Jesus approaches, people greet Him with palm branches, shouting “Hosanna!” This highlights their recognition of Him as the King of Israel.

Key Phrase: “Hosanna” 

The Hebrew word Hosea (הוֹשֵׁעַ, Hoshea or Hoshéa‘) means “salvation,” “deliverance,” or “he saves”.

Luke 19:38

The crowd celebrates Jesus’ entry, proclaiming Him as the king who brings peace and glory from heaven.

Key Phrase: “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Zechariah 9:9 (Prophecy)

This Old Testament prophecy foretells the humble arrival of the king, riding on a donkey, symbolizing peace and righteousness.

Key Phrase: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Your king comes to you, righteous and victorious…”

Psalm 118:25-26

These verses serve as the basis for the praise “Hosanna,” acknowledging the one who comes in the Lord’s name, signifying divine blessing.

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

Key Themes

-The Triumphal Entry: Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is marked by celebration, illustrating His role as a humble and peaceful King rather than a military leader.

This moment highlights the contrast between the expectations of conquering hero and Jesus’ true mission.

– Hosanna: this term means “Save Us” or Save Now.” Initially a plea for deliverance, it evolves into a jubilant expression of praise, reflecting the crowd’s hope in Jesus as their Savior.

The angels prophesied Him as the Savior.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Context: The angel is speaking to shepherds who are watching their flocks by night, bringing them good tidings of great joy.

Location: The “city of David” refers to Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David and the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah. King born in Bethlehem.

The Hebrew word for Bethlehem is בֵּית לֶחֶם, pronounced Beit Lechem (or Bet Leḥem). It is composed of two words: Beit, meaning “house of”, and Lechem, meaning “bread”. Together, it translates literally to “House of Bread.” 

He is the Bread of Life.

During the Passover meal (The Last Supper), Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given/broken for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24).

-Palm Branches: waving palm branches and laying them down, along with clothing, symbolize victory and respect. This act signifies a royal welcome and recognizes Jesus’ authority.

-Palm Sunday: also called the triumphal entry- reveals Jesus as the rightful Messiah, fulfilling prophecy and declaring His reign over Jerusalem- and ultimately the Earth.

Conclusion

The accounts of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry provide insight into the nature of His kingship and His fulfillment of prophecies. By studying these passages, we can better understand the significance of Jesus as the Messiah and the

moments that led up to His crucifixion and resurrection.

He went to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of “Passover.”

Exodus 12, God commanded the Israelites to mark their doorposts and lintels with the blood of a sacrificed lamb. This act of placing the blood over the doorways was a sign, ensuring that when the Lord struck down the firstborn of Egypt, He would “pass over” the houses marked with blood, sparing the Israelites from the last plague.

Passover commemorates the Israelites’ miraculous exodus out of Egypt by the hand of God.

We celebrate Holy Week

Holy Week stands as a remarkable testament to the profound journey of Christ’s final days on Earth. It begins with the joyous celebration of Palm Sunday, He entered Jerusalem, where crowds declared Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”—a direct reference to the expected King.

This week is intricately woven into the fabric of the Jewish Passover, a time that commemorates liberation and hope. It is during this sacred time that Jesus shares the Last Supper with His beloved disciples, revealing the depth of His love and the promise of redemption.

As we move through the week

We encounter the weight of Good Friday, where we reflect on the sacrifice He made for us—a love so immense that He bore the cross for our sakes. Yet, the narrative doesn’t conclude in darkness! The culmination of Holy Week bursts forth with the glory of Easter Sunday morning, a day of triumph and resurrection. It’s a celebration of new life, a reminder that hope conquers despair, and that through His resurrection, we are offered a fresh start and eternal promise. Let us embrace this week with open hearts, reflecting on His sacrifice and rejoicing in the gift of grace that flows from the empty tomb.

Death could not hold him.” 

The resurrection of Jesus Christ affirms that death and the grave could not keep him captive. Acts 2:24 celebrates the victory over sin and death, signifying that Christ broke the chains of death to bring hope, healing, and eternal life. 

Remember: Jesus is not only our Savior but also our soon-coming King. He is seated at God’s right hand now, reigning in our hearts. But the best part? He’s coming back! One day, He will establish His everlasting kingdom—a kingdom where we’ll live under His perfect reign. Let’s live with that promise, being ready for His return!