HOSANNA

 Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, marks the first day of Holy Week and the fourth and final Sunday of Lent.  Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey and being greeted by the people waving palm branches.  It is a reminder of our welcoming Jesus into our hearts and our willingness to follow Him.

"They took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"  John 12:13

Jesus ministered tirelessly in the days leading up to his entry into Jerusalem.  Among other righteous acts, our Lord healed the blind, cured ten lepers, ate dinner with Zacchaeus, resurrected Lazarus, and broke bread with His disciples at the Last Supper.

By the time Jesus and his disciples entered Jerusalem a large crowd had formed anxious to see Jesus and the man he had raised from the dead. Their shouts of praise honoring Christ as King infuriated the Pharisees who were trying to catch and kill Jesus. The Pharisees believed only Caesar was king. The crowd was wanting Jesus to be their king as a political and military leader freeing them from the hated Roman government.

Jesus was clear that the Kingdom He had come to establish was not of this world.  The Kingdom of God is eternal - transcending time and space.  King Jesus, Prince of Peace, Lamb of God - is our redeemer - the King of our hearts for eternity.

"Alleluia, how the people cheer and palm leaves rustle as the King draws near."  John Beavis