Palm Sunday: A Celebration of Hope & Misunderstanding
Holy Week is a conflicting seven days filled with both darkness and hope, beginning with Palm Sunday. This day marks the triumphant moment when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey. The people spread their cloaks on the road and waved palm branches, welcoming Him with shouts of praise and pleas for salvation.
At first glance, it seemed to be a time of unity, as the citizens of Jerusalem gathered to publicly honor Jesus. However, by the end of the week, the same crowd would shout, “Crucify him!”; In their moment of joy and hope on Palm Sunday, they were unaware of the tragic events that would soon unfold.
A Celebration of Hope
As I reflect on my upbringing in the church, I often associate Palm Sunday with children waving palm branches and singing joyful songs. The words “Palm Sunday” evoke images of celebration and hope for salvation. It’s easy for us to get swept up in the joyful atmosphere of the day, much like the crowds of Jerusalem.
However, after deeper reflection on the Palm Sunday scriptures, I found myself asking: How could the same crowd who sang Jesus’ praises on Sunday turn around and demand His crucifixion by the end of the week?
The Crowd’s Misunderstanding of Jesus
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds followed Him, shouting:
“Hosanna!” (Mark 11:9, John 12:13)
“Blessed is the King of Israel!” (John 12:13)
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” (Mark 11:10)
When asked, “Who is this?”, they replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” (Matthew 21:11). Although they praised Him and pleaded for salvation, the crowds of Jerusalem didn’t fully understand what they were asking for. They viewed Jesus as a political Messiah or a prophet, not as the Son of God.
Though many had witnessed or heard of Jesus; miracles—like the resurrection of Lazarus—they still didn’t comprehend Jesus, true identity or mission. As the Bible tells us, “Only after Jesus was glorified did, they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him” (John 12:16).
They welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem not as a spiritual savior, but as someone who could deliver them from Roman oppression and external forces in their lives. This misalignment of expectations would lead to their quick rejection of Him during His trials and crucifixion.
Aligning Our Expectations
Unlike the crowds in Jerusalem, we now understand what brings us peace. With access to the full Bible, we can recognize the Old Testament prophecies for what they are and see how they point to Jesus Christ. We know the events that followed Palm Sunday—the trials, the crucifixion, and the resurrection.
It’s essential that we don’t get caught up in the celebration of Palm Sunday without acknowledging the somber days ahead. We should not let our expectations define who Jesus is or why we worship Him. As we celebrate Palm Sunday, let us shout “Hosanna!”; with a deeper understanding of Jesus’ true identity and His mission on Earth.
Let us triumphantly welcome Jesus into our hearts, asking for the spiritual deliverance He provides during Holy Week.
About the Author:
Julia Barnes
Student – Indiana University Southeast (English Major | Creative Writing Minor)
Gymnastics Instructor – SIGS Sportsplex
TC Attender Since 2007
