Palm Sunday 2023
What is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday is a Christian holiday that falls on the Sunday before Easter Sunday. It is also known as Passion Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy Week, which is the week leading up to Easter.
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| Palm Sunday(Getty) |
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as described in the New Testament. According to the Gospels, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, while the crowds waved palm branches and laid them in his path, shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" This event is seen as a fulfillment of a prophecy in the Old Testament.
In many Christian churches, Palm Sunday is celebrated by distributing palm branches to the congregation, who then wave them in remembrance of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. The palms are often blessed during a special Palm Sunday service, which may include a procession.
Palm Sunday is an important day in the Christian calendar, as it marks the beginning of Holy Week, which culminates in Easter Sunday, the celebration of Jesus' resurrection.
Palm Sunday Sermon
Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when the crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!" Here are some sermon ideas:
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| Palm Sunday sermon(Getty) |
The Humility of Jesus: Despite being the Son of God, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, a symbol of humility. His humility teaches us the importance of serving others and putting their needs before our own.
The Power of Worship: The crowds welcomed Jesus with shouts of "Hosanna!" and waving palm branches. This teaches us the power of worship and how it can move our hearts and minds to greater faith and devotion.
The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus knew that his triumphal entry would lead to his eventual death on the cross. This teaches us the cost of discipleship and the importance of being willing to sacrifice everything for our faith.
The Promise of Hope: Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, which culminates in the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. This teaches us the promise of hope that comes from our faith in Jesus, even in the midst of suffering and difficulty.
The Challenge of Following Jesus: Just as the crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem, they later turned against him and called for his crucifixion. This teaches us the challenge of following Jesus and the need to remain faithful even in the face of opposition and persecution.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Remember, the most important thing is to share the message of God's love and grace through Jesus Christ.
Palm Sunday Scripture
The Palm Sunday scripture is found in all four of the Gospels: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19.
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| Palm Sunday scripture(Getty) |
Here is the text from Matthew 21:1-11 (New International Version):
"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.'
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
'Say to Daughter Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.''
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
'Hosanna to the Son of David!'
'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'
'Hosanna in the highest heaven!'
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, 'Who is this?'
The crowds answered, 'This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.'"
