Jesus’ Palm Sunday
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
1 Jesus and his disciples reached Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives. When they were getting close to Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 He told them, “Go into the next village. As soon as you enter it, you will find a young donkey that has never been ridden. Untie the donkey and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks why you are doing this, say, ‘The Lord needs it and will soon bring it back.’ ” 4 The disciples left and found the donkey tied near a door that faced the street. While they were untying it, 5 some of the people standing there asked, “Why are you untying the donkey?” 6 They told them what Jesus had said, and the people let them take it. 7 The disciples led the donkey to Jesus. They put some of their clothes on its back, and Jesus got on. 8 Many people spread clothes on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields. 9 In front of Jesus and behind him, people went along shouting, “Hooray! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 God bless the coming kingdom of our ancestor David. Hooray for God in heaven above!” 11 After Jesus had gone to Jerusalem, he went into the temple and looked around at everything. But since it was already late in the day, he went back to Bethany with the twelve disciples.
Mark 11:1-11
Memory Verse
Mark 11:9-10
9 In front of Jesus and behind him, people went along shouting, “Hooray! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 God bless the coming kingdom of our ancestor David. Hooray for God in heaven above!”
In Disney’s popular musical Aladdin, young Aladdin falls in love with a powerful princess, but there’s one problem: he’s a penniless “street rat” who steals to survive. When Aladdin discovers a magic lamp, the genie inside transforms him into a wealthy prince. Hoping to impress Princess Jasmine, Aladdin parades onto the palace grounds wearing expensive clothes and riding an elephant ahead of a dazzling procession. Even though he’s surrounded by servants, music, and dancing, the fake prince's showy entrance leaves Princess Jasmine unimpressed.
Christians celebrate a much different kind of triumphal entry every year before Easter, known as Palm Sunday. Unlike Aladdin, Jesus, God’s true Son, traveled the dusty road into Jerusalem riding a donkey. By appearances, Jesus looked like a poor man. A humble servant.
Crowds gathered. Jesus’ followers, many of whom were poor themselves, laid their coats along his path and cut palm branches to wave as he entered Jerusalem. They cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest!” Many recognized Jesus for the true King he was. Many others wondered, “Who is this man?”
Jesus’ humble entry into Jerusalem shows that though you are small, you are important to God. In God’s kingdom, it doesn’t matter how much money you have, or how smart you are, or how important you look to others.
How can you be sure? During his earthly life, Jesus ministered to the kinds of people the world often forgets. What’s more, Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem knowing he would sacrifice his life for those he loved. His kingdom belongs to each one of us, and we can welcome him with whatever we have. He doesn’t want our riches or power. He wants our hearts.
Who did Jesus come for? He came for you.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you that you came to die for our sins. As we celebrate Palm Sunday, help us to remember that your sacrifice is for each one of us, and—though we may be small—we are important to you. Help us to see past appearances and love each person the way you do. Amen.Related Resources
Sara Korber-DeWeerd
Sara Korber-DeWeerd is a freelance writer, teacher, and Down syndrome advocate. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband Mark and their three children, plus one dog and seven chickens. When not teaching or writing, Sara enjoys exploring the mountains, lakes, and rocky coastlines of New England with her active family (though they usually leave the chickens at home).