Why The Palm Branches?

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem ! See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

The triumphant entry of Jesus is a well-known portion of scripture. Throughout His ministry, Jesus did not want any accolades or public glory. At various times during His earthly ministry, People wanted to crown Him king. They were so forceful after the feeding of the 5000, He had to send disciples away in a boat, and He escaped to the mountain. This was the only “public demonstration” Jesus allowed while He was ministering on earth. Everything that happened in Jesus’s life did not occur just by chance. They all speak of things in the old testament and to the culture of that day. His purpose was to fulfill the old testament prophecy recorded in Zechariah 9:9, and this event led to growing hatred on the part of the Sanhedrin, leading to the crucifixion of our savior. But why the Palm branches? It was a tradition to lay down your garments to hail the king. The waving of the palm branches and crying of Hosanna was a tradition that started 200 years earlier when Judas Maccabee & his army freed Israel from the Oppression of Assyrian army and drove them out of Jerusalem, the people celebrated by waving palm branches. From that day, palm branches are depicted on the back of Jewish coinage as a symbol of deliverance from oppression. To them, Jesus was coming to conquer Romans and establish himself as the king.

Jews once again find themselves in oppression by the Romans. They want Jesus to be Judas Maccabee and deliver them, but when they realized Jesus had different agenda, their cry turned from “Hossana” to “Crucify him.” There were three different groups in the crowd that day: The Passover visitors from Galilee and the surrounding area, the resident of Judea who had witnessed the raising of Lazarus, and the Jewish leaders who worried about what Jesus was going to do. All were wondering if Jesus would come, and if He did, would He establish Himself as king. What did these events mean to Jesus? He was obedient to the father’s will. The prophet Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem in that manner. So for those who knew scripture, He was announcing to the people He indeed was the king of Israel. I am sure most hoped He would now defeat the Romans and free Israel. 

What did this demonstration mean to Romans? Nothing. I am sure they kept their eye on the proceedings as a large crowd had gathered, but compared to “Roman triumph,” our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem was nothing. While the Jews spread their garments before him and waved palm branches as a symbol of peace and victory, they quoted Psalm proclaiming Him the “king of Israel.” But Jesus was weeping. Is Jesus weeping for you? Have you created an image of Jesus in your mind, which stops you from recognizing His true Identity? For centuries they were waiting for Messiah, and yet when He was in the midst of them, they wanted to settle for the temporary blessing. Is that what you are doing right now with Jesus? Are you only interested in Jesus for your present need, or do you recognize Him as Messiah? Jesus has the power to free you from oppression of sin, are you willing to hail Him as your king? Or, like the Jews who were cheering for him as King on Sunday and Crucify him on Thursday, your view of Jesus changes according to your needs and life situation?

We all love to talk about Jesus on Christmas, we like to talk about church and activities, but very few of us are interested in Cross that speaks of dying to SELF. It is one thing to wave the palm branches and shout Hosanna on Palm Sunday, and something else altogether to stand at the foot of the Cross. As we start the “Passion Week,” let’s examine our heart and have true PASSION for Christ. Is Jesus the king of your heart or like the crowd on the first Palm Sunday, you don’t even know what kind of freedom he can give you. He can free you from ETERNAL death. Are you like the Romans, who were oblivious to all that was going around and failed to see their savior. Are you like the Jewish leadership, who saw Jesus as a threat to their power and position? He came that palm Sunday riding into Jerusalem to be slain for our sins. The lamb of God had to give His life when the Passover lambs were being slaughtered, so we may have true freedom. The time is coming soon, where he will enter Jerusalem as a conquering king. Will you be with Him, or like the Jews and Romans, you will be watching and wondering what is happening? Those who are washed in His blood and have been “born again” are going to be with Him as He rides into Jerusalem to rule the world. At that time, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess He is Lord. Won’t you accept Him and make Him your King right now? All you need to do is repent and make Jesus your Lord and savior and the minute you do that, He will make a triumphant entry into your life. Amen