Matthew 21: 1-11

I love Palm Sunday. I have never been to a Palm Sunday service that failed to uplift my spirit. The Bible verses, the wild exuberance of the music, the palm fronds waving in the congregation-it all comes together in a celebration of Jesus’ victorious ride into Jerusalem. To me, it also represents a “pause” in time of just one beautiful day, before the Jaws soundtrack starts playing in the background and everything goes south for a while.

It was bright and sunny that day, I just know it. There was a sense of expectation in the air. People knew Jesus was coming for Passover. Jesus sends his disciples to fetch a donkey, both a mother and her colt. The disciples lay their cloaks across the colt and Jesus climbs up. 

“This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey’ “(Matthew 21:4-5).

The large crowd lays out the “red carpet” for Jesus, their King (our King), consisting of cloaks and palm fronds cut from nearby trees. And slowly Jesus rides further into Jerusalem, not saying a word or preaching, surrounded by loudly adoring fans. From his vantage point, above the crowd but not too high, he can clearly see their faces turned up towards him. They call out: 

“Hosanna to the Son of David!” 

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 

“Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9)

And those in Jerusalem who did not know of Jesus asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” (Matthew 21:11).

I have chills at this point, just typing these words. The recognition from the people of who he is, along with the honor and love Jesus so deserves, is palpably apparent. I am deeply grateful that this moment, this day, is his to observe and savor, and a welcome pause after the grueling pace of his ministry. Soon, of course, the tides will change. But I like to think that riding slowly through the worshiping throng of people brought him a little more strength to face what happens next. 

The story of Jesus will continue to unfold in the rest of Holy Week, but Palm Sunday is pure joy. In what ways can you “pause” and lean into the celebration of Jesus riding into Jerusalem?