John 12:13 “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!"

Psalm 92:12-13 “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.”
 
Each spring we celebrate Palm Sunday as the beginning of Holy Week. We are reminded of this passage where many in the crowd carried palm branches and waved them and laid them on the road before Jesus as He was entering into Jerusalem.
 
The palm tree has a strong tall straight trunk with a crown of branches on the top that sticks out like a crown on the head of the great king of trees. Although the tree was used for poles, food, leaves for thatched roofs and making containers, people also waved the palm branches. This was part of the custom in a celebration. We do the same thing, only we call them pom-poms. Most cheerleaders at athletic events will attract attention and excitement by their yells, routines, and shaking pom-poms to stir up enthusiasm. 
 
The Official Star Tribune Homer Hanky is a handkerchief-like rally towel printed for the Minnesota Twins. It was first introduced during the 1987 pennant race by the Minneapolis Star Tribune as a promotional item when the Twins won the American League Western division. Many of my fellow Minnesotans showed support and excitement by waving the homer hanky. The team won the world series.
 
Palm branches were used in the Old Testament for rejoicing.  Leviticus 23:4l "On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days." This was a celebration known at the time as the Feast of Tabernacles - referring back to when God chose to dwell in their midst in the tabernacle during the wilderness travels, when a tent housed the presence of God that was referred to as the Holy of Holies in its center.
  
Interestingly, at the time of the Triumphal Entry many of the Jews were staying in booths and tents preparing for the Passover which commemorated the time when Moses led them out of Egypt. At the initial time the Israelites recognized God was in their midst and they celebrated. This was the prophetic Old Testament celebration established to bring to remembrance the presence and provision of God for His people.
           
The crowds saw Jesus provide food with the feeding of the 5,000. They saw a King who would heal the sick and raise the dead.  They wanted a new King that would rule for many years as long as he would give them what they wanted.
           
We have a glimpse of another celebration found in Revelation 7:9 "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God.’”
  
Palm branches were a significant part of a victory celebration and was a religious expression that God was with them. Indeed, He was and He is still!
 
Application: Use this week to reflect on the journey that God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ on, just for us!

Prayer: Lord, we celebrate with You this week as we walk through your journey to save us from our sins. We praise You for your ultimate sacrifice and for your unending love.

Dale