Palm Sunday: The Arrival of the King
"The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord — the King of Israel!'" — John 12:12–13, CSB
Can you imagine the energy in the streets that day? Crowds waving palm branches, shouting Hosanna! like their long-awaited King had finally come to claim His throne. Because, in a way, He had. Just not the kind of throne they expected.
Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem—and the beginning of His final week before the cross. The people expected a military leader to overthrow Rome. But Jesus arrived on a humble donkey, not a warhorse. He came not to invade kingdoms, but hearts. He came not to conquer with force, but to lay down His life in love.
And yet…they shouted “Save us!” (which is what Hosanna means), not realizing how He would save them—through suffering, surrender, and sacrifice.
Drawing #Closer to God Through Surrender
One of the prayers we’ve talked about recently as a church is the prayer of surrender. And Palm Sunday is a powerful invitation to pray that kind of prayer.
Jesus knew what was waiting for Him in Jerusalem—rejection, betrayal, crucifixion. But He went anyway. Willingly. With love.
That kind of courage and humility invites us to ask:
- What part of my life am I holding back from Jesus?
- What expectations do I need to lay down at His feet?
The crowd celebrated Jesus as long as He matched their hopes. But when He didn’t meet their expectations, many turned away. We do this too, don’t we? When God doesn’t work the way we want, it’s tempting to question His plan.
A Palm Sunday Practice: Lay Down Your Branches
Take a few quiet minutes today and imagine yourself in the crowd, holding a palm branch. Picture Jesus approaching—not just as the Savior of the world, but as your Savior.
Now ask yourself:
- What “branches” (hopes, plans, fears, control, expectations) do I need to lay down?
- How can I trust Him more fully this week?
Then pray a simple prayer of surrender. It can be just a few honest lines, something like:
Jesus, I welcome You as King in my life—not just when it’s easy, but even when I don’t understand. I lay down my expectations and choose to trust You. Lead me closer to You this week. Amen.
Let’s draw #Closer to God by walking with Jesus into this Holy Week. He’s not just the King who came—He’s the King who saves.