Thoughts on Palm Sunday

Here are some wonderful thoughts on Palm Sunday, written yesterday by my wise and Jesus-loving friend, Jonathon Sawyer:

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday; a day observed by the historic Christian Church for centuries.

As a child, I recall walking into a church and receiving a palm leaf, or something akin to it. At the time, this gift that I received upon entering the sanctuary was void of any meaning except the youthful intrigue of receiving such an odd item prior to a church service.

This evening, as I compose my thoughts about Palm Sunday, I am filled with a reverential awe for the creator of the palm leaf, for "by him (Jesus) all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16-17

Jesus Christ, who is the image of the invisible God, walked the earth and ministered among men who did not perceive his Godhood. Jesus' Jewish disciples were anticipating a Messiah who would restore the throne of King David. The Messiah was expected to conquer their Roman foes and restore the Kingdom of Israel through military might. In this Hebraic context, Jesus was celebrated and hailed with palm branches as the King of Israel. The Palm leaf was a symbol of Jewish victory, and rightfully prophesied a great conquest. Indeed, the Messiah Jesus was among them, but his conquest would be far greater than the greatest of military victories.

"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." John 12:16

The King Jesus' conquest would be sealed through his own blood and humility on the cross. His victory would be over sin, death, and Satan. On the cross, Jesus would become sin for sinners. Jesus would willingly endure the just punishment of a Holy and perfectly good God, so that those who trust in him would be credited as the beneficiaries of his sacrificial conquest over evil. Whereas we were once children of darkness, we are now forgiven children of light, and our Father is God, the maker of the palm leaf, and the creator of all things.

Colossians 1:15
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation."

John 1:10
"He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him."

2 Corinthians 5:21
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

1 Thessalonians 5:5
"For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness."