A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road (Matthew 21:8).

I grew up in a church that really knew how to step into the Palm Sunday story. To set the scene, it was always a full house. Attendance rivaled the usual big days of Christmas and Easter. Everyone was well dressed, especially the children. As we celebrated Jesus’s entrance into Jerusalem, we participated in our own procession through the church and outside around the parking lot. We were handed our own palm leaves to carry and wave in the air while singing hymns along the way. The significance of the day and the week to come was not lost on even the smallest child.

Every time Palm Sunday comes around, I feel the need to tell somebody about this celebration. And that’s exactly what it was: a celebration! It wasn’t just another Sunday to come to church and hear another Jesus story. It was the grand entrance into THE Jesus story.

Maybe I feel like we give so much attention to Easter Sunday that this day gets a little overlooked. Don’t get me wrong, Easter is an immeasurably significant day to celebrate. And of course, if you made a Lenten fast, Palm Sunday marks one more week to go! But in these 11 short verses of Matthew’s Gospel, there is a marvelous story that we can participate in.

The Son of David is entering into Jerusalem as king! He doesn’t enter with an army to vanquish the Roman occupiers. It’s just him, twelve friends, a donkey, and a colt. No weapons. No plans to overthrow a government. Yet, there is a battle to be had against Sin and Death. It’s you and I that are on the line.

Palm Sunday offers us an opportunity to celebrate Jesus entering Jerusalem together as a church community. Just as the crowd was excited to welcome the king into the city, we can welcome Jesus into our hearts and minds as the One who sets us free this Sunday and every single day. The battle has already been won. Let’s celebrate for the king!

What does Palm Sunday mean to you? Let this celebration be a model for welcoming Jesus into your heart as you begin your day.