What Is the Significance of Palm Sunday?
Easter is a glorious time of year when we celebrate our risen Savior. It’s the time of year when we remember that we’ve been redeemed and set free because of the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus!
But before this day of celebration, there is another day of significance concerning the victory of our King: Palm Sunday. But what is Palm Sunday, and what is its significance?
What is Palm Sunday?
The Oxford Dictionary defines Palm Sunday as “The Sunday before Easter, on which Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is commemorated.” Basically, Palm Sunday is a week before Resurrection Sunday. It’s a day we memorialize as the day of Jesus’ triumphant entry into the prominent city in Israel as described in the Gospels of the New Testament — just days before he was arrested and crucified.
What is the Significance?
According to the biblical accounts, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem that day, crowds of people welcomed him. They waved palm branches and laid them on the road as he rode into the city on a donkey, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy in Zechariah 9:9.
Significance of Palm Branches
In the Bible, palm branches symbolize various themes, including victory, triumph, righteousness, and peace. They are often associated with festive occasions and celebrations.
In the Old Testament, palm branches were used in the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) as a symbol of thanksgiving and joy. Additionally, in the book of Revelation, palm branches are mentioned as symbols of victory and salvation for believers who have overcome trials.
Significance of the Donkey
The use of a donkey in Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem holds symbolic significance. In ancient Jewish culture, riding on a donkey symbolized humility, peace, and the arrival of a king in times of peace, contrasting with riding on a horse, which symbolized war and conquest.
Jesus deliberately chose to ride a donkey to fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, which foretold the Messiah's humble arrival. By doing so, Jesus demonstrated his role as the Prince of Peace and emphasized the spiritual nature of his kingdom. This stood in contrast to the earthly kingdoms of power and dominance.
What Prophesy Did Jesus’ Triumphant Entry Fulfill?
“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King (Messianic King) is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble and unassuming [in submission to the will of the Father] and riding on a donkey, Upon a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Zechariah prophesied that Jesus would make His triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The crowds gathered to welcome and honor Jesus as they proclaimed, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel!” (John 12:13)
Because the people had witnessed many of His miracles and heard His teachings, they were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, their long-awaited King.
Upon His arrival in Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples partook of the Passover Feast. We commonly call it, “the last supper,” but the disciples had no idea that this was the “last supper,” nor did they comprehend how the events of the next few days would change everything.
Palm Sunday ushered in the fateful week in which Jesus would be crucified but would ultimately end with His triumphant resurrection. The resurrection would prove beyond debate that Jesus was the Messiah and that He was the One that could free mankind from the bondage of sin.
The Significance Today
We can see the importance of this day from the people’s response to the coming of Jesus, as they “took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (John 12:13 KJV)
Many people in Jerusalem that day saw Jesus’ entry into the city as a sign that scripture was being fulfilled, and they would be freed. We celebrate this day to remember the coming of our salvation, which is now available to all!