Palm Sunday: Hosanna to the King of kings

Palm Sunday is one of the most important Christian celebrations that marks the beginning of the Holy Week and leading to Easter Sunday. It commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, when people laid palms and branches in front of him as a sign of honour. In modern times, churches hold Palm Sunday services in which worshippers are given a palm branch or cross made from palm leaves. The celebration involves singing of hymns, reading the scripture, and sometimes, even a procession with the palms from one part of the community to another. Palm Sunday is the day we remember and celebrate the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as our Saviour and King. As Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, a huge crowd gathered and laid palm branches and their cloaks across the road, giving Him royal treatment. The huge crowd shouted: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Palm Sunday reminds us of Jesus’ selfless love by which he laid down his life for mankind, the worship is to help the church reflect on ways by which they can enthrone Jesus in their hearts and worship him through their time, gift, talents and through their lives. If Jesus showed man love, it behooves on him to love his fellow man. Many churches celebrate Palm Sunday by waving palm branches, singing traditional hymns and making crosses out of palm fronds. But while this is a triumphal entry, it is Jesus’ first step toward His death. Palm Sunday is also called Passion Sunday and the first day of the Holy Week. These special ceremonies took place in Jerusalem toward the end of the 4th century. During the middle age, the ceremony for the blessing of the palms was elaborate: the procession began in one church, went to a church in which the palms were blessed, and returned to the church in which the procession had originated for the singing of the liturgy.

Palm Sunday is a holiday that changes yearly based on Lent. This year, Palm Sunday is celebrated this Sunday, April 2, 2023.
Honouring Christ

This is one of the New Testament accounts in which Christ was shown great honour. The by-standers laid their garments in front of Him, and waved palm branches — a demonstration of victory and honour, usually reserved for royalty. They shouted and chanted, “Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna” an expression of praise and adoration, which is also related to the Aramaic word for Saviour. Psalm 118:19 relates greatly with this account: “Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day, which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endures forever.”

This victorious entry reminds us that although Christ endured great sorrow and suffering, ultimately, He is victorious over sin and death.

We can honour Jesus in the following ways and make Him the King of our hearts:

With our time, money, talents, gifts, hearts and position.