Post 28: Significance of Palm Sunday
Image: Drawing of a wooden cross with palm branches behind it. The image has green text shows the words "Palm Sunday" in big letters, along with the phrase "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" and the website name "bytesofsalvation.com, March 2026"
Summary: This short post discusses what Palm Sunday is, it's biblical significance, and provides a brief comparison between Jesus Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem versus Jesus Second coming as Judge of the world.
Growing up, I don't recall our family celebrating Palm Sunday but since I got saved (back in Feb 2024) and have recently been learning about this event, I decided to write a blog post about it.
What is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday is an event that commemorates Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.¹ Palm Sunday symbolizes the joyous arrival of the Messiah-King, marking the start of Holy Week, which is the final 7 days of Jesus' earthly ministry.² During this week, Jesus would go from being welcomed with praises to being betrayed by Judas, rejected by His own people and crucified on the cross. The most important point to note here is that Jesus' crucifixion is the atonement by which God offers mankind forgiveness for it's sins (Matthew 26:28, 1 John 2:2, 1 Peter 3:18).
How is Palm Sunday Celebrated?
Palm Sunday occurs annually on the Sunday before Easter.¹ This year, it will be celebrated on Sunday, March 29, 2026. In modern times, many Christian denominations celebrate Palm Sunday with special church services that may also feature processions, the blessing and/or distribution of palm or other similar types of branches to their congregations, and/or readings of the Passion story of Christ in the bible.¹
Many cultures and families have special meals for Palm Sunday, because it is a part of the Lent Season. During the 40-day prayer, fasting and almsgiving season of Lent, it is customary for participants to avoid eating meat and animal products, although some cultures may loosen some of the more traditional restrictions.⁵ Because of these restrictions, meatless meals are more common, with fare often including fish and figs⁶ along with other vegetarian options or vegan options.
Jesus' Triumphant Entry
During Jesus' Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem, He rode a donkey into town as crowds welcomed Him shouting "Hosanna!", while spreading cloaks and palm branches on the road as He entered. Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem is discussed in all four of the Gospels, (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19) and fulfills Zechariah 9:9, an Old Testament prophetic verse foretelling the Messiah's arriving on a donkey. Zechariah's prophecy of Jesus is one of both a humble servant and a righteous king, bringing both judgment and redemption.
Biblehub notes that Jesus' riding in on a donkey/colt instead of a horse signifies that He is a humble King who came in peace rather than a conquering warrior. This humble arrival was in direct opposition to the combative savior that the Jewish leaders and other citizens of that time expected would save them from Roman control. His entry at this time stood in stood in contrast to the earthly concept of kings entering cities and towns showcasing their presence and power with military force and political spectacle.⁴
According to Biblehub, "Hosanna" is an originally Hebrew expression meaning "save, I pray" or "save now". Derived from Psalm 118:25, it was originally a desperate cry for help or salvation ("Save us, we pray, O LORD!"). This expression to Jesus was recorded in Matthew 21:9, Mark 11:9-10, and John 12:13, and generally including the phrase "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" During Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, it was primarily the crowds that shouted "Hosanna", as a praise to the Messiah and a cry for salvation.⁷
According to this Biblehub article on Palm Branches, "In ancient times, palm branches were symbols of victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life. Within the context of the Feast of Tabernacles mentioned in Leviticus 23:40 in the Old Testament, God instructs the Israelites to use Palm branches as a part of the celebration and worship, to symbolize joy and thanksgiving.³ During Palm Sunday, the use of palm branches signaled divine favor and victory, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and King.³
Jesus' Triumphant Entry V.S. Jesus' Second Coming
While Jesus Triumphant Entry was a localized event where He displayed His great humility and meekness, the Bible describes Jesus' Second Coming or "The Great Day of the Lord" as a sudden, worldwide event of great power and glory, fierce wrath and destruction, marking the end of the age and the final judgment of mankind.
The sudden, and immediate nature of Christ's 2nd Coming can be seen in verses like Matthew 24:27 which describes His 2nd coming "...as lightning that comes from the east..." and Matthew 24:36 that says "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father". His Return is also described to be like a "Thief in the night" as noted by verses like 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and Revelation 3:3, meaning that it will hit the world (unbelievers) unexpectedly but believers are urged to be watchful.
His second coming will also be witnessed worldwide. Revelation 1:7, describes that "...He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him..." and Matthew 24:30 also tells us that "... all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man..." These verses help to paint the picture that people all around the world will see Jesus during His second coming.
When Jesus' Returns, He will also come with great power and glory. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 mentions that Christ will "... descend from heaven with a cry of command...And the dead in Christ will rise first." Matthew 24:30-31 tells us “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man...coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." The bible also tells us that He will be coming on a white horse, and instead of coming in humility, He will make war and bring wrath against the enemies of God (Revelation 19:11-16, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
This day is also one in which believers will be eagerly awaiting his arrival (Hebrews 9:28) but for the the unbelieving world, a great day of wrath, distress, and desolation, in which Jesus will return to judge the world, and destroy evil including all who reject Him (Isaiah 13:6,9, Zephaniah 1:14-15, 2 Peter 3:10).
Plea to the reader:
If you are among the believers who are trusting in Christ alone for your salvation, then my encouragement to you is that you remain awake and watchful, as the Day of the Lord should not surprise us who are walking in the light of Christ (Matthew 24:42-44, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, Revelation 16:15).
If you are someone who does not believe that only Jesus can save you from the eternal penalty of your sins, I would urge to repent (Acts 3:19, Mark 1:15) and believe in Christ today (John 3:16) while you still have time! To remain in unbelief is to remain without forgiveness from your sins and under God's condemnation (John 3:18). If you die never having put your faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins, you eternal destination will be in Hell forever, a place the bible describes as one of unquenchable fire (Mark 9:34) and eternal punishment (Matthew 25:41), with weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42).
Conclusion:
As a believer in Christ and adopted Child of God, the Holy Spirit in me confirms with 100% certainty that my trust and faith in the sacrificial atoning death of Christ completely pays for my sins so I am forgiven of all my sins and granted eternal life in with God in heaven forever.
If you cannot say that, then you may be trusting in yourself or your own works. If this is the case, my prayer is that you would re-examine where your trust lies, and change your mind to trust solely in Christ for salvation from the eternal penalty of your sins!
Hosanna! Praise in the highest to Jesus, our only Savior and Lord! AMEN!
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