Humans and animals are very good at reading signs. When we are outdoors and see trees and flowers in bloom, we know that the season of spring has arrived. When we go to stores and see toy rabbits, multi-
colored baskets, plastic grass and chocolate eggs and bunnies, we know that Easter is approaching.
In many Christian churches next week, if you walk in, you will see palm branches, indicating that this particular Sunday is Palm Sunday. All four gospels have an account of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem the week before Passover, which is the Jewish holiday that remembers how God saved the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt. In three of the gospels, people in joy lay their cloaks and tree branches in front of Jesus as he rides into the city as a way to honor Jesus. In John’s gospel, we are told that the people laid palm branches on the road. It is from John that we call this particular Sunday, Palm Sunday, rather than something like “Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem” Sunday.
When a Jewish follower of Jesus would have read John’s gospel and saw that palm branches were used to celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, it is a sign to them. It would remind them of the festival of Hanukkah. Hanukkah celebrates Judas Maccabaeus’ victory over pagan invaders and of his cleansing of the Temple. In celebration of this victory, there is a parade, and Judas Maccabaeus’ entry is celebrated with the waving of palm branches. He is about to be made the new king of Israel. The waving of Palm branches in John’s gospel is significant. It is John’s way of stating to his reader that Jesus is the true King of Israel, who enters Jerusalem during the Passover celebration in order to save us. This coming Sunday and the week that follows, thank God for sending his Son, Jesus, to the world to be our King and Savior.
“They took palm branches and went out to meet him. They shouted, “Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the king of Israel!” John 12:13
The Rev. Karen Dumey is the pastor of Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church in Sikeston.