Palm Sunday
On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”
— John 12:12–13
I remember the anticipation of Palm Sunday when I was a child. While our church did not do much to formally observe the Liturgical Year beyond Christmas and Easter, they always found a way (in Colorado!) to get palm branches for all the children. We would parade in to begin the service and sing a song of praise, laying our palm branches down at the front of the church. Later, we would get to pick them up and bring them home.
Palm Sunday is the beginning of what is traditionally called Holy Week. It marks Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when His followers praised Him as the One who comes in the name of the Lord, fulfilling the promise of Psalm 118. The gospel accounts tell of Christ riding in to the streets of Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey. A crowd of people received Him, laying palm branches and their coats down before Him, as they would do for royalty. The Gospel of John quotes Zechariah 9:9, hailing Jesus as the King of God’s people. This all started the ball rolling towards what would culminate in Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, what we call Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Easter is, of course, the most significant day of celebration for the church. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead marks His victory over sin and death, and the church has made it a day of celebration from early in its history. As the church began to develop the Liturgical Year marking the story of our redemption, the celebration of Jesus as King was a natural day to begin the remembrances of Holy Week.
Liturgical celebrations, of course, include the use of palm branches. Some traditions fold the fronds into small crosses, while others spread them in the aisles of the sanctuary. In churches that celebrate Ash Wednesday, the ashes come from burning the palm fronds. Orthodox churches incorporate the color green into their vestments and wall hangings.
For churches that do not formally celebrate the full Liturgical Year, however, it is still possible to incorporate the observance of Palm Sunday into corporate worship. Giving out palm branches, especially to children, is a great tactile way to highlight the message of celebrating the coming of a King. Having them lay them down in the front of the sanctuary or in the aisles gives a sense of movement in worship.
The music of Palm Sunday should be regal and celebratory. There are a number of traditional hymns (such “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” and “Praise Him! Praise Him!”) that make reference to the Triumphal Entry. Numerous contemporary worship songs (Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna) have been written to heighten the story that begins the week of Christ’s road to redemption. Scripture readings including Psalm 118 and Psalm 24 shed light on the prophecies fulfilled in Jesus’ coming to Jerusalem.
Above all, the service should have a sense of anticipation of the events of the week to come. Just because we know the end of the story, it doesn’t mean that it’s not important to experience the journey afresh. Palm Sunday is a great way to involve the body of Christ in worship to welcome our King.
