Scripture Reading: John 12:12-50, Psalm 118:25-29, Zechariah 9:9
“Hosanna!” “Save us!”
Can you imagine what it would have been like to stand in the crowds of people in Jerusalem at this moment? I imagine all the whispers, excitement, and stories prior to Jesus’s arrival. Was He the promised Messiah? Would He change everything for the Israelites? He had the power to heal and do miracles! Was this the moment that prophecy would be fulfilled? Was this the man who would set His people free and overthrow the government?
I imagine that you and I are standing together in that crowd. There’s someone tall standing in front of us, so we move around from spot to spot, trying to get a better look. Someone is handing out palm branches. We’re all waving them, excitement in the air. Everyone is shouting, “’Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!’” (John 12:13).
And then He comes. Not dressed like a king in fine clothes, jewels, or a crown. He comes physically, as an ordinary man who has done miraculous things, riding on a small donkey. This was the moment of prophecy fulfilled, yet many didn’t know even as they lived it!
The Bible says at this moment, even the disciples of Jesus didn’t realize what was happening (v.16). Only after His death would they recognize all that was written about Him had come to pass.
At this triumphant celebration of Jesus’s arrival, the Pharisees became increasingly jealous and angry (v.19). And when more attention continued to grow, Jesus knew His time had come (v.23).
Jesus urges those listening to believe in Him while still having Him there (v.36). The Bible notes that many believed in secret but refused to say it publicly (vv.42–43). Why? Because they loved the praise of man more than the praise of God.
Do you ever stop to think about the fact that we’re living in prophecies fulfilled? Jesus came to be a light to the world, sent by God so that we wouldn’t have to live in darkness anymore (v.46).
The Light—Jesus—has come to conquer all darkness. He has overcome death and sin and given us access to the kingdom of God. The things of this world will pass away (Matthew 24:35). And what this world deems important is nothing compared to following after Jesus with our whole hearts.
Palm Sunday is a reminder that God always fulfills His promises in His Word. And so together we say, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Written by Abby Flynn
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32 thoughts on "Palm Sunday"
49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” – John 12:49-50
Amen, Jennifer! Me too ✝️
@Indiana Elaine- loved all the explanation about Palm Sunday! Thanks
Hello Shes.
Let us give thanks to our Sisters who did
background study & posted findings as follows:
Allison: the symbolism of palm trees in ancient times
Dorothy: the meaning(s) of “Hosanna”
Indiana Elaine: no coincidence
Jesus entered Jerusalem
on “lamb selection day”.
Please go back & check these Shes out!
We are a learning community.
Teaching one another.
Daughters of a King.
Women in the Word of God everyday.
Thanks to every She who
delves deep & resurfaces
with new knowledge
to share freely.
Amen & Amen
Palm Sunday IS a great reminder of Gods promises. How cool is that? Such an awesome thing for all of us to remember. In a season of feeling a bit uncertain about what my future holds it’s heartwarming to know God will always fulfill his promises to me. I pray hard that I’ll become a wife and a mother and sometimes I don’t know that it will happen. Doubt creeps in and makes me question if it will happen. But remembering what God has for me even though I don’t know what it is it can only be good! Praying you all have a great Holy Week! @LIZZIE P I’m praying your anxiety subsides. Know you’re alone in that battle. @RHONDA J. You will make a perfect fit for a prayer request group! Seems like a great fit for you. Praying you can ease into it well and find your role quickly. @TRACI GENDRON praying your dog heals quickly. Our sweet fur friends all hold such a special place in our hearts. @SEARCHING love your comment today. I too pray for clarity and wisdom for all of us.
Jesus experienced what it is to know the right thing to do but still be afraid of the consequences. He knew there was no escaping His death. It was what He had come for. So His only request was for His Father’s Name to be glorified. May that be my posture when I experience suffering.
I pray that I wouldn’t love man’s praise more than God’s. I pray that I would boldly speak out about who God is and my faith in him. I also pray that I would see the prophecies coming true all around me.
Interesting meaning of Palm Sunday:
Palm Sunday through Jewish eyes…. in light of Old Testament Scriptures. To see what the people who saw Him ride into Jerusalem would’ve seen and known. Why did God choose this particular day for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem? Was it just a random day or did it have specific meaning to the Jews of that day?
The day Jesus entered Jerusalem was actually called “lamb selection day”. In the Old Testament, on the 10th of Nissan, families selected their lambs in the late afternoon for Passover. Jesus also rode into the city in the late afternoon that day offering Himself as the Lamb (Mark 11:11).
Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household… Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. – Exodus 12:3, 6
Jesus Christ is revealed as our Passover Lamb! And, just to make sure we didn’t miss it, God sent His Son into Jerusalem on the same day that the Jewish people had been selecting their lambs for the past 1500 years!
Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem FOUR DAYS before Passover is not a coincidence. The lambs, chosen for sacrifice by each family on the 10th of Nisan (the day we call Palm Sunday), must be visible for FOUR DAYS before the Passover Feast in order for everyone to observe the selected lamb’s perfection.
During those days of inspection of the lambs, the perfect Lamb of God was present daily at the Temple, where everyone could see Him….. allowing Himself to be inspected by the people.
The road into Jerusalem was extremely crowded that day. Hundreds of thousands (or according to Josephus, millions) of pilgrims were flocking into the city to begin the celebration of the Passover season.
How did people respond to the arrival of Jesus?
At the Sheep Gate, a crowd of people threw their coats and branches down on the ground while shouting,
‘Hosannah!’ “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosannah in the highest!’ “Hosanna” – hosha’na in Hebrew means, “Save now!”
So today at my church service I learned what Hosanna actually means — “save us now”. So I did a little research and this is what I found (from Christianity.com), “Hosanna is often translated “Please Save Us.” It is a Greek word “ὡσαννά” that most scholars believe is the transliteration of two Hebrew words- יָשַׁע- “yasha” which means “to save or deliver” and אָנּאָ – “anna” which means “please, I beseech.” Other scholars believe its Hebrew roots come from a different verb tense of “yasha” הוֹשַׁ֣ע which means to cause or to bring about salvation. In this tense, hosanna becomes a command to bring about or cause salvation.” I always thought it to mean something more upbeat and positive!!?? BUT GOD!!!!
Sorry for the second post but I thought you might be interested in this.
Is anyone else missing 4 1/2 days of this week?
I know I’ve read these verses many many times but the words saying that they believed but would not admit it because they wanted the praise of man more than that of our Father, really screamed at me. Because I have been guilty of that too around certain groups of people and friends. Forgive me Father…….may I speak boldly of my love for you.
❤️
This is so great! Thanks!!
It’s Palm Sunday!!! WOW!!! I’ve read this Scripture from John 12 I don’t know how many times and I don’t remember reading this part of verse 28 and 29. “Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.” This is why I love doing She Reads Truth Bible studies I discover and learn new things about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Bible all the time. Not only to be in the crowd to see Christ but to hear God speak to Him that day!!! AMAZING, AWE-INSPIRING, UNBLIEVEABLE, OH MY!!!!! Yet they went later to deny it.
Abby is so right in her devotional when she asks, “Do you ever stop to think about the fact that we’re living in prophecies fulfilled?” I know that I do sometimes but not as often as I should. And how often are we like the people of Christ time loving “the praise of man more than the praise of God.”? I know quite often I go seeking the praise of man when ALL I HAVE TO DO IS LISTEN — JUST LISTEN!!!
Lord God on this wonderful day You have made for us to celebrate the triumphal entry of Your Son Christ Jesus help us to remember to praise You and Christ and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I have a praise dear sisters my grandson, George, got to go home yesterday and I get go see him in a day or two. :)
Be blessed and SING HOSANNAS to the Lord sisters ALL DAY LONG!!!
“This was the moment of prophesy fulfilled.” WOW! How often are we standing in a moment or situation not realizing it is the moment that God is answering a prayer or fulfilling a promise He made to us in His word.
Sisters, let us not love the praise of man more than the praise of God. Easy to read & comprehend but can be difficult (and/or painful) to follow through when we find ourselves in confusing or complicated (from our perspective) situations. Praying for clarity, wisdom and discernment for each of us.
CEE GEE- ❤️ thank you for the study recommendation. I missed your request for son/family safety yesterday. Praying for safe travels whenever they return. Seems like each week brings dangerous, horrific storm systems.
RHONDA J – praying as you lead others in prayer this morning! And praying for a wonderful week with your grandson
TRACI GENDRON – praying for your little dog’s treatment.
AZ WALKER – ❤️ Thank you for podcast recommendation. I will try it when I have time to focus. I am not good with just listening :/ and have tried doing podcasts in pieces without much success. I used to think I had a good attention span …
REBECCA W – praying seeds of Jesus’ love and His gift of salvation will be planted in your grandson’s heart. What a wonderful opportunity to be able to take him to church!
25 Save us, we pray, O Lord!
O Lord, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar! 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever! – Psalms 118:25-29
Hosanna! All I want is You Lord. Amen
Amen
@ Allison Bentley-Thank you for that info about palm branches!
I have my grandson today so we’re taking him to church with us. His family doesn’t go. So I pray the words he hears today will penetrate his little heart. (He’s 7) Along with my words and actions that I try to pour in to him when we’re together. I will continue to pray that God will soften the hearts of my children. I trust in His holy name! Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; His love endures forever!
Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!
❤️
Just a little background on Palm Trees that I dug deeper to find and felt you guys might enjoy. “Palm Branches in Ancient Times
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), Engedi, and along the banks of the Jordan.
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. Victors of Grecian games returned to their homes triumphantly waving palm branches in their hands”
Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Thank you Cee Gee! I will be nervous that I will stutter and go blank. But God- step out in faith sisters! The church needs us to be workers not Sunday pew warmers!
I am reading the book “God of the Way” by Cathy Lee Gifford! It was talking about this…so that is giving me confidence!!
Palm Sunday! Blessed is the Lord!
It is important to see that they believed in Him, yet didn’t see prophecy coming alive- same as today! We seemed shocked by all that happens around us in the world, yet we were told all this would happen. That life wouldn’t be easy, and that the world would hate us due to being blinded by sin and caught up in it. It is a fallen world. Our only hope is Jesus, and I am SO thankful that I KNOW that to be true. My heart longs for home. My heart longs for my love ones to recognize this truth. Many will go to church this Easter, I pray that they will long for a deeper connection. Many will only teach their kids about a fake, live bunny that hides eggs. I pray they will see the true reason somehow. Lord, come, let us shine your light. Open the eyes of the blind. Open their ears to ear. Hosanna in the Highest!
Have a blessed Sunday She’s!
HOSANNA! Blesses is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 13:26
Praying RHONDA J – what a step of faith!
Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
❤️
Hosanna! Blessed be He who comes in the name of Lord!
Come, Lord Jesus. COME.
Hosanna Blessed be He who comes in the name of Lord!