Trad West@trad_west_
Palm Sunday begins Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian year. It is the gateway to the Passion of Christ. The palms remind us of Christ’s kingship, but also His Passion. Traditionally, the palms are later burned into ashes for use on Ash Wednesday the following year, a sign that earthly glory fades, but the Cross endures.
Jesus and His disciples approached Jerusalem, coming from Bethany and Bethphage, near the Mount of Olives. At a specific moment, Jesus gave an unusual instruction:
“Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with 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 at once.” - Matthew 21,2–3
This was a deliberate fulfillment of prophecy:
“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 Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey, the crowds gathered. Moved by the Holy Spirit, they cut palm branches from the trees and spread their cloaks on the road, a gesture of royal welcome and honor.
Palms were a symbol of victory and triumph in Jewish culture.
The people began to shout: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” - Matthew 21,9
"Hosanna" is a Hebrew cry meaning “Save us, we pray!” It was both a praise and a plea.
The people were crying out for deliverance, from Roman occupation, from sin, from death. Many believed the Messiah had finally arrived to restore the Kingdom of Israel.
Children, too, sang in the temple, crying "Hosanna!", and Jesus affirmed their praises:
“Have you never read: 'Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise'?” - Matthew 21,16
>The donkey shows us true humility and the peace of God's kingdom, not of swords, but of hearts turned back to God.
>The cries of “Hosanna” remind us that Jesus is the Savior we need, though not always the one we expect.
>The weeping of Jesus teaches us that even in triumph, His heart is broken for the lost and the proud who reject Him.
Palm Sunday invites every Christian to ask:
>Do I welcome Christ as King, or do I demand a king on my terms?
>Am I willing to follow Jesus to the Cross, or only through the cheering crowds?
>Do I offer Him my praise, my cloaks, my palms, my very life?
Let us walk with Him now, into Jerusalem, ready to watch, pray, and suffer with Him in the days ahead.
