All 4 of the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and work record his entry into Jerusalem on the Sunday before the Jewish Passover.  Matthew, Mark and Luke tell the story of how Jesus obtained the donkey upon which He entered Jerusalem,  as it was prophesied that Messiah, king, would arrive riding a donkey.  Zechariah 9:9 was written hundreds of years before the event “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!  Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  your king comes to you gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the fold of a donkey.”   John was the only writer to mention the palm branches that were waved by the crowds as Jesus humbly rode into the city.  “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'” John 12:13  The waving of the palm branches  was a show of celebration indicating a victory and was a reminder of Jesus’ royalty.  The only other place that palm branches are waved is in Revelation 7:9-10.   John records the following scene that will take place in heaven. ⁹ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, ¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

As you worship today, cry out in praise to Jesus, our mighty King and Savior.  He is the Victor King now and forever!  Raise your palm fronds high in praise and proclamation that Jesus is our Savior.  He is indeed the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

Today let my praises join those in heaven proclaiming the name of Jesus.  

Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Linda