WHY PALMS ON PALM SUNDAY?

WHY PALMS ON PALM SUNDAY?

By Jack Zavada

Palm branches are a part of Christian worship on Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, as it is sometimes called. This event commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as foretold by the prophet Zechariah.

The Bible tells us people cut branches from palm trees, laid them across Jesus' path and waved them in the air. They greeted Jesus not as the spiritual Messiah who would take away the sins of the world, but as a potential political leader who would overthrow the Romans. Their shout "Hosanna" meant "save now."

In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness and victory. They were often depicted on coins and important buildings. Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the temple (1 Kings 6:29). Again at the end of the Bible, people from every nation raise palm branches to honor Jesus (Revelation 7:9).

Today, many Christian churches distribute palm branches to worshipers on Palm Sunday. The people remember Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, praise him for the gift of salvation, and look expectantly to his second coming.

Scripture Reading for Holy Week:

Palm Sunday: Philippians 2:6-11

Monday: Isaiah 42:1-4

Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-4

Holy Wednesday: Matthew 26:14-16

Maundy Thursday: John 13:12-16

Good Friday: Isaiah 53:1-5

Holy Saturday: Romans 6:3-11

Easter Sunday: John 20:1-9

Excerpts from Christian Perfection

Excerpts from Christian Perfection 

By John Wesley

Lent offers the opportunity to examine ourselves, and be  renewed in God's love to repentance and correction, through confession and absolution. Wesley wrote as follows:

"PRIDE: We often think we have no need of anyone else's advice or reproof. We may be wise but have little love, or we may have love with little wisdom. For this reason God has wisely joined us together as parts of the body so we cannot say to another, I have no need of you. Be open and honest when you are rebuked and do not seek to evade it.

DECEPTION: "Beware the daughter of pride: the tendency to hastily ascribe revelations to God. Love is the highest gift of God. Do not expect knowledge, without searching the Scriptures and consulting with people of God. Do not expect spiritual strength without constant prayer and study     watchfulness.

LAWLESSNESS: "beware of thinking because I have the love of God I do not need holiness, or since I pray all the time I have no need for set times of prayer or self examination.  Instead beware of self indulgence, for my works our faith is made perfect. Be zealous of good works and give no place to laziness. Be an example of denying yourself and taking up your cross daily.

SCHISM: "beware of schism, of making a tear in the church of Christ. Do not cease to have a reciprocal love for one  another (1Corinthians 12:25). Beware of everything which leads to separation. Do not have a single thought of separating from your brother and, whether their opinion agrees with yours or not. And do not despise or run down any preacher lest you hurt both him and the cause of God. Beware of touchiness, and of an unwillingness to be corrected. Beware of being provoked to anger when criticized or when others do not accept your word.  

All can be summed up in 1Corinthians 13:1-8, "if I do not have love I am a noisy gong or clanging cymbal. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, indoors all things. Love never ends."  

God help us to fill our circles of prayer with holy love for his glory. And may we be transformed from our current state of dryness, fatigue, and distraction, into vibrant and holy witness for Christ.