Day 1 of Holy Week – Palm Sunday – The Triumphal Entry

The Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday) can be found in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-44, and John 12:12-19

Today, Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week. The week begins with celebrations and cheers but will end with sorrow and despair.

Just outside Jerusalem, the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 is fulfilled:

“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.”

Jesus and his disciples were making their way to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration, and because of the miraculous signs that Our Savior had done previously, the crowd was in a frenzy.

At Bethphage, Jesus instructed two of his disciples to “go and bring.” They were to go into town and bring back a donkey and her colt. Without question, they did what they were asked to do.

With the disciples’ cloaks on the backs of the animals, Jesus rode one as He entered Jerusalem. On the road before Him, many in the crowd spread their cloaks out or laid branches from the trees.

A celebration was happening because their Messiah was amongst them.

In their minds, the Messiah was coming to take over in a military-like style to save them from the Roman oppression.

Jesus Christ would save them, but not in the way they thought or ever believed.

He would save them and us from the sins of the world.

Hosanna to the Son of David!

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a colt or donkey was His first coming. This arrival was to signify His life as the sacrificial lamb, a humble servant, and the giver of peace.

Revelation 19 states that Christ’s second coming will be on a white steed, proclaiming overall victory.

But until that day comes, let us proclaim this:

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

As you set time aside today to pray and reflect on what this day means to you, let’s not forget the peace that the Savior brings to us.

Hosanna in the highest!

Heavenly Father, Lord, I thank you for this day of reflection on the joyous celebration that Palm Sunday brings. The peaceful entrance of our Messiah signifies what is to come; victory over the darkness of the world and eternal life with you, Father. May we never forget what our Savior endured for us!  In Jesus Name, we pray! Amen.