Hosanna

As we celebrate Palm Sunday, we must remember that Jesus was willing to suffer and die on the cross at Calvary to pay for the sins of His people. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Not everyone believes. Not everyone will spend eternity in Heaven.

Matthew 21:1-11 “As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,”

“Tell the people of Jerusalem,

‘Look, your King is coming to you.

He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

“The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,”

“Praise God for the Son of David!

Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Praise God in the highest heaven!”

The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Christians celebrate Palm Sunday because we are celebrating how God saved the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

But remember, this is not a “one and done”. This is a life-changing, life-altering event that has eternal consequences. Going to church, singing a hymn, and waving a palm frond means nothing if it is merely a “tradition” you follow. A ritual and custom that holds no power or significance in the Kingdom of God. A tradition not founded on God’s Word is a legalistic practice rather than the transformation of the heart by the Holy Spirit. Traditions of men become a stumbling block to true faith. “And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others.” Mark 7:13

As we celebrate Palm Sunday, let us remember that Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem led to His great sacrifice to die on the cross for our salvation.

Good Friday is only a few days away. Our hope and our victory over sin are accomplished through the work of Jesus, and death itself is conquered through Christ’s resurrection.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” Zechariah 9:9

Blessings,

Van

Published April 13, 2025, The Desert Review, Brawley, CA