Mar 28, 2021
The palm tree and palm leaves appear again and again throughout
the Bible as symbols of integrity, honor,
righteousness, holiness, godly authority, and royal glory. The palm
was used in the carved decorations of the temple,
usually associated with the Cherubim, but also with the regal lion
and the flower in full bloom. In addition though,
throughout the entire ancient Near East palm branches were the
conventional symbol of public approval and welcome
by all the eastern peoples to conquering heroes, and were strewn
and carried in triumphal processions. All the Gospels
report that people gave Jesus the kingly honor of strewing palm
branches along the path during His triumphal entry.
The use of the palm became an almost universal worship convention
on Palm Sunday by the beginning of the third
century. This Sunday, we will observe this venerable and ancient
practice during the service, as we too sing Hosannas
to our King, waving these old Biblical symbols of royal pomp and
joyous celebration. —Pastor George Grant
Key Words: Palm Branches, Hosannah, Lazarus,
Crowd, Sign, World, Greeks
Keystone Verse: Look, the world has gone after
Him. (John 12:19)
John 12:9-21
When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they
came, not only on account of Him
but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
10 So the chief priests made plans to put
Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him
many of the Jews were going away and believing
in Jesus.
12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the
feast heard that Jesus was coming to
Jerusalem. 13 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, even the King of
Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young
donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear
not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt!” 16 His disciples did not
understand these things at first, but when Jesus was
glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written
about Him and had been done to
Him. 17 The crowd that had been with Him when He called
Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from
the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why
the crowd went to meet Him was that they heard
He had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one
another, “You see that you are gaining nothing.
Look, the world has gone after Him.”
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast
were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip,
who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to
see Jesus.”