Palm Sunday
Did you celebrate anything this past week? It was my oldest son’s 18th birthday on Sunday, and we were able to celebrate by going to Texas Roadhouse! We are not able to go there very often, but it is our favorite restaurant. Those rolls! I could get full just on the dinner rolls and butter. Have you tried them? As I’ve said before, when you taste and experience something so amazing, you can’t help but celebrate and proclaim it. Well, that’s what we encounter in the Gospel of John and the arrival of King Jesus on Palm Sunday. He is worth celebrating and proclaiming because of the salvation that He provides.
On Palm Sunday, we remember a moment filled with joy, celebration, and expectation. The crowds gathered in Jerusalem, waving palm branches, shouting ‘Hosanna!’ as Jesus entered the city riding on a young donkey. But what started as a royal welcome would soon take an unexpected turn - leading not to a throne, but to a cross.
In John 12, we are invited to see three responses to Jesus as King: celebration, reflection, and proclamation.
#1 - Celebrate the Salvation of our King (John 12:12-13)
The people celebrated Jesus’ arrival, crying out “Hosanna!”- a plea for salvation. They laid palm branches, a symbol of victory, in His path. But their expectations were misplaced and misguided. They wanted a political savior, someone to rescue them from Roman rule. Still, their instinct to celebrate salvation was right.
Jesus came not to conquer Rome, but to conquer sin and death. He came to save us from eternal separation from God. If we’ve experienced that salvation, we have every reason to celebrate every day.
What we celebrate reveals what we value.
So, are we celebrating Christ and the salvation He brings with the same enthusiasm we give to birthdays, graduations, or promotions?
What are you most tempted to celebrate over Jesus? How can you practically express joy in your salvation this week?
#2 - Reflect on the Promises of Our King (John 12:14-16)
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He rode on a donkey–not a war horse. This fulfilled the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 and revealed His identity as a humble, servant King, who would bring peace.
At the time, even His disciples didn’t understand what was happening. It wasn’t until after Jesus' death and resurrection that things started to make sense to them. That gives us hope: we may not understand everything God is doing right now, but with time, reflection, and the Spirit’s help, we will.
Being a disciple isn’t about knowing everything. Rather, it involves staying committed to Christ and growing in understanding.
Let’s reflect regularly on the God’s Word, trusting that God will bring clarity in His time.
Are there truths in Scripture you struggle to understand or apply? How might regular reflection and prayer help you grow in clarity?
#3 - Proclaim the Power of our King (John 12:17-19)
Those who saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead couldn’t keep it to themselves. Their testimonies sparked curiosity and drew more people to Jesus. This resulted in the religious leaders watching in frustration as “the world has gone after Him” (v19).
If you are trusting in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you have a story to share. A story of how Jesus rescued you, brought you from death to life, and gave you eternal hope.
Sharing that story might lead someone else to seek Him.
Who in your life needs to hear what Jesus has done for you? What’s one way you can share your story this week?
As we remember Palm Sunday, we are called to respond with hearts full of celebration, minds open to reflection, and voices bold in proclamation.
Our King has come! Our King is coming again! How will you respond?
For this week: Read John 20:1-18
On Palm Sunday, we remember a moment filled with joy, celebration, and expectation. The crowds gathered in Jerusalem, waving palm branches, shouting ‘Hosanna!’ as Jesus entered the city riding on a young donkey. But what started as a royal welcome would soon take an unexpected turn - leading not to a throne, but to a cross.
In John 12, we are invited to see three responses to Jesus as King: celebration, reflection, and proclamation.
#1 - Celebrate the Salvation of our King (John 12:12-13)
The people celebrated Jesus’ arrival, crying out “Hosanna!”- a plea for salvation. They laid palm branches, a symbol of victory, in His path. But their expectations were misplaced and misguided. They wanted a political savior, someone to rescue them from Roman rule. Still, their instinct to celebrate salvation was right.
Jesus came not to conquer Rome, but to conquer sin and death. He came to save us from eternal separation from God. If we’ve experienced that salvation, we have every reason to celebrate every day.
What we celebrate reveals what we value.
So, are we celebrating Christ and the salvation He brings with the same enthusiasm we give to birthdays, graduations, or promotions?
What are you most tempted to celebrate over Jesus? How can you practically express joy in your salvation this week?
#2 - Reflect on the Promises of Our King (John 12:14-16)
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He rode on a donkey–not a war horse. This fulfilled the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 and revealed His identity as a humble, servant King, who would bring peace.
At the time, even His disciples didn’t understand what was happening. It wasn’t until after Jesus' death and resurrection that things started to make sense to them. That gives us hope: we may not understand everything God is doing right now, but with time, reflection, and the Spirit’s help, we will.
Being a disciple isn’t about knowing everything. Rather, it involves staying committed to Christ and growing in understanding.
Let’s reflect regularly on the God’s Word, trusting that God will bring clarity in His time.
Are there truths in Scripture you struggle to understand or apply? How might regular reflection and prayer help you grow in clarity?
#3 - Proclaim the Power of our King (John 12:17-19)
Those who saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead couldn’t keep it to themselves. Their testimonies sparked curiosity and drew more people to Jesus. This resulted in the religious leaders watching in frustration as “the world has gone after Him” (v19).
If you are trusting in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you have a story to share. A story of how Jesus rescued you, brought you from death to life, and gave you eternal hope.
Sharing that story might lead someone else to seek Him.
Who in your life needs to hear what Jesus has done for you? What’s one way you can share your story this week?
As we remember Palm Sunday, we are called to respond with hearts full of celebration, minds open to reflection, and voices bold in proclamation.
Our King has come! Our King is coming again! How will you respond?
For this week: Read John 20:1-18
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