Palm Sunday Meditation

Pause with me as we reflect on the words describing Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem in Matthew 21:9:

"The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed 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 marks the beginning of Holy Week. What are you praising God for this Easter? 
Listen now. 

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

This Sunday marks the final week of the Lenten season. The 40 day period leading up to Easter. The week begins with a holy day of feasting known as: Palm Sunday.

The celebration of Palm Sunday commemorates the Biblical Story of Jesus approaching the City of Jerusalem. As he arrives in the city, he was met by a large crowd of people waving palm branches in the air and laying them at his feet. They cried out to Him saying: “Hosanna! Hosanna, in the highest heaven!"

The word Hosanna is used in this passage as a shout of praise, much like the word Hallelujah. However, where Hallelujah literally means “praise be to God” the word Hosanna is translated as to save or to rescue. So what appears in this story as a shout of praise, is actually a cry for help. Whether we call out to God in praise or in pain this Lenten Season, let us do so, as an act of faith and with expectant hearts.

In what way are you calling out to God this season? 

How will you turn your heart to Him today?

Let’s pray: God, we thank you for this Lenten Season. We call out to you in praise but also in our pain. Turn your ear to our cries today. And help us turn our hearts back to you. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.