What is Palm Sunday | Holy Week / Passion Week | GotQuestions.org

Question, What is Palm Sunday? In this video, we'll go to the Bible for the answers. Then afterwards, I'll point you to some helpful resources, so stick around until the end. Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, one week before His resurrection.

The Triumphal Entry and the Start of Passion Week

As Jesus entered the Holy City, He neared the culmination of a long journey towards Golgotha. He had come to save the lost, and now was that time. This was the place to secure that salvation. Palm Sunday marked the start of what is often called Passion Week, the final seven days of Jesus' earthly ministry.

Palm Sunday was the beginning of the end of Jesus' work on earth. Palm Sunday began with Jesus and His disciples traveling over the Mount of Olives. The Lord sent two disciples ahead into the village of Bethpage to find an animal to ride.

They found the unbroken colt of a donkey, just as Jesus said they would. When they untied the colt, the owners began to question them, and the disciples responded with the answer Jesus provided, the Lord needs it.

Amazingly, the owners were satisfied with that answer and let the disciples go. They brought the donkey to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt, and put Jesus on it. Luke 19, 35. As Jesus ascended towards Jerusalem, a large multitude gathered around Him.

This crowd understood that Jesus was the Messiah. What they didn't understand was that it wasn't time to set up the kingdom yet, although Jesus tried to tell them so. The crowd's actions along the road gave rise to the name Palm Sunday.

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Matthew 21, 8. And strewing their cloaks on the road, the people were giving Jesus the royal treatment.

King Jehu was given similar honor at His coronation. John records the detail that the branches they cut were from palm trees. On that first Palm Sunday, the people also honored Jesus verbally. 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! Matthew 21, 9. In their praise of Jesus, the Jewish crowds were quoting Psalms 118 .25 -26, an acknowledged prophecy of the Christ.

The allusion to a messianic psalm drew resentment from the religious leaders present. Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, Teacher, rebuke your disciples! Luke 19 .39. However, Jesus saw no need to rebuke those who told the truth.

He replied, I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out! Luke 19 .40. Some 450 -500 years prior to Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem, the prophet Zechariah had prophesied the event we now call Palm Sunday.

Rejoice greatly, daughter Zion! Shout, daughter Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey, Zechariah 9 .9. The prophecy was fulfilled in every particular, and it was indeed a time of rejoicing as Jerusalem welcomed their new King.

The Crowd Misunderstands Jesus' Mission

Unfortunately, the celebration was not to last. The crowds looked for a Messiah who would rescue them politically and free them nationally, but Jesus had come to save them spiritually. First things first, and mankind's primary need is spiritual, not political, cultural, or national salvation.

Even as the coatless multitudes waved the palm branches and shouted for joy, they missed the true reason of Jesus' presence, for they could neither see nor understand the.

Cross.

That's why, as Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace, but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you.

Luke 19, 41 -47. It is a tragic thing to see the Savior, but not recognize Him for who He is. The crowds who were crying out, Hosanna on Palm Sunday, were crying out, Crucify Him later that week. There is coming a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ.

Is Lord.

The worship will be real then. Also, John records a scene in heaven that features the eternal celebration of the risen.

Lord.

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 hand.

Revelation 7, 9. These palm-bearing saints will shout, Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.

Verse 10.

The Heavenly Meaning of Palm Branches and the Call to Respond

And who can measure the sum of their joy? Hungry for more? Subscribe so you don't miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions .org for more great content. And check out the details section below this video, there are several links to related articles along with one to a book I recommend.

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