Hosanna in the Highest: The Meaning and Message of Palm Sunday
Today is Palm Sunday—a day that marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian calendar. It is the Sunday before Easter, commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The day is named after the palm branches that were laid before Jesus as he rode into the city—a sign of honor and recognition of His kingship.
"They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna!' 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Blessed is the king of Israel!'"
— John 12:13 (NIV)
The Triumphal Entry
The Gospel of Matthew paints a beautiful picture of this moment:
“They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.”
— Matthew 21:7-8 (NIV)
In fulfillment of the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9, Jesus enters Jerusalem not as a warrior king on a stallion, but as the humble Messiah on a donkey:
"See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
This act symbolized peace and humility, a stark contrast to the expectations of a political savior. It was a quiet declaration of His identity as the Prince of Peace.
The Cry of “Hosanna!”
The word “Hosanna” means “save us now”—a cry for salvation. The people shouted this in hope and joy, but they didn’t fully grasp the kind of salvation Jesus was bringing. Their cries echoed the psalm:
"Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."
— Psalm 118:25-26 (NIV)
The same crowd that praised Him on Palm Sunday would, by the end of the week, cry out “Crucify Him.” Palm Sunday reminds us how quickly human hearts can turn and how easily we misunderstand God’s ways.
A Personal Reflection
As we hold our palm branches today, we’re invited to ask ourselves:
Do we welcome Jesus into our hearts as the Humble King?
Do we only praise Him when things go our way, or do we trust Him through the cross?
Are we prepared to follow Him not just in celebration, but in suffering?
The Journey Ahead
Palm Sunday begins a journey toward the cross and, ultimately, the resurrection. It invites us to walk with Christ through betrayal, suffering, and sacrifice—knowing that beyond the cross is the empty tomb.
Let this Holy Week be a time of deeper devotion, honest reflection, and renewed faith in the One who gave everything to save us.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus... He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
— Philippians 2:5,8 (NKJV)
Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.