Palm Sunday
“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” John 12:12 The Bible tells us that people cut palm branches, laid them in Jesus’ path, and waved them as he entered the city of Jerusalem. They greeted him not as a spiritual Messiah, but as a potential political leader to overthrow the Romans – they shouted Hosanna (Save now!) blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ Date palms are majestic, tall trees that grow abundantly in the Holy Land. Their long and large leaves spread out from the top of a single trunk that can grow to more than 50 feet in height. In Bible times, the finest specimens grew at Jericho (which was known as the city of palm trees). In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness, well-being, grandeur, steadfastness, and victory. They were often depicted on coins and important buildings. King Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the temple: On the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer rooms, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers. (1 Kings 6:29). Palm branches were regarded as tokens of joy and triumph and were customarily used on festive occasions (Leviticus 23:40, Nehemiah 8:15). Kings and conquerors were welcomed with palm branches being strewn before them and waved in the air. Palm Branches Today Today, many Christian churches distribute palm branches to worshipers on Palm Sunday, Customary Palm Sunday observances include the waving of palm branches in procession, the blessing of palms, and the making of small crosses with palm fronds. Now we recognise Jesus as our spiritual Messiah and Saviour of the world. One of the beautiful things that happened during COVID, when we were not able to have church services or Palm Sunday Processions is that people started putting palm branches or branches of other trees on their doors and gates, as a public witness. This is a wonderful tradition to continue- so that you can show your neighbours that you worship Jesus. Let us continue to place Palm or other branches on our homes to show our honour of Jesus! “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9) Adapted from https://www.learnreligions.com/palm-branches-bible-story-summary-701202