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
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!”