The significance of Palm Sunday in the suffering of Jesus

Palm Sunday

First edition

Gospel John 12:12–24 The descent of the glorious King

The next day the news spread that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. The people who had come to the feast in great numbers took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting:

- Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,

the King of Israel!

A donkey was brought to Jesus, and he sat on it, as it is written:

- Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion,

your king is coming!

sitting on a colt, the colt of a donkey.

The disciples did not understand this at the time, but when Jesus was glorified, they remembered that these things had been written about him and that these things had happened to him.

Those who had been with Jesus told how he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead. Therefore, when they heard what sign Jesus had done, they went out to meet him in great numbers. The Pharisees said to one another, “You see, nothing is gained. The whole world has gone after him.”

Now there were some Greeks among those who had come up to the feast to worship God. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said, “We would like to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew, and the two of them went to Jesus.

Jesus said to them,

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:12–24 First Edition)

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Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is one of the most important days in the religious calendar, as it begins Holy Week and commemorates Jesus’ suffering. During this time, which culminates in Easter, it is good for us to deepen our understanding of Jesus’ role as savior. It is important to reflect on what his coming means for us today.

Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday marks a moment when he was at the height of his popularity. Thousands of people gathered in Jerusalem for the annual Easter celebration, and they joyfully welcomed Jesus at the city gates. This joyful reception is reflected in the Gospels, where the expectation and hope of the people are strongly present.

Jesus’ arrival and the joy of the crowd

The Gospels describe this enthusiastic situation with the words: “Hosanna,” which means “Help and save.” This was a traditional greeting reserved only for kings. Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem fulfilled the prophecy of the prophet Zechariah: “Rejoice, daughter of Zion! Behold, your King comes. He is righteous and has victory, humble, and riding on a donkey.” (John 12:12–24). Jesus entered the city humble, as the prophecies had foretold.

The crowds had many feelings and expectations. For many, Jesus was the messiah who would free them from the yoke of Rome. For others, he was just a spokesman, a symbol of something greater. For example, there were over a million Jews in the Roman Empire, and they were waiting for salvation. John the Evangelist mentions that the disciples did not understand that moment. This raises the question: what were the crowds really thinking during Jesus’ triumphal procession? Perhaps they were enjoying the joy and excitement, even though they were not entirely sure of the events to come.

The Meaning of Holy Week

As Holy Week begins, it is good to reflect on our own place in Christian society. If Jesus is our true Savior, His suffering and death are central to our faith. In fact, 80% of Christians around the world believe that Jesus’ death is the key to their faith. It is important to consider how much we allow His grace and forgiveness to influence our lives.

During Holy Week, we can pause to reflect on our sins. We cannot truly understand our needs unless we are aware of our own sinfulness. Often, selfishness and self-centeredness are revealed in us precisely when we face challenges. This can open our eyes to how much we need a Savior who can atone for our sins.

Humility in the Meaning of a King

King Jesus arrived in Jerusalem modestly, without a great war horse and triumph. He appeared humble, gentle and merciful. When we think about his coming, we can see that he is not a harsh judge, but a calming and merciful presence. Jesus comes to us and offers peace. He wants to be the ruler of our hearts, and he does not demand anything from us. He brings his reconciliation and mercy into our lives, as long as we open our hearts to him. The question we can ask ourselves is: how well do we listen and receive this calming message?

Reflection

As Holy Week begins, we can take it upon ourselves to reflect on the great significance of Jesus’ work of reconciliation. What significance does Jesus have in our lives as “king”? We are called to examine our own faith and values through this question. What do we think about the approaching Easter? Do we still reflect on the devotion and joy that we had at the beginning when we met Jesus? Can we live our daily lives in such a way that others can feel the presence and love of Jesus in our lives?

Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem may seem like a distant event, but it is close to us. He is a king who offers us the opportunity for a new beginning and forgiveness. We must ask ourselves what we will do with this opportunity. We need not fear the approaching Easter, for it brings hope. Jesus’ humble arrival on a donkey reminds us that he is ready to come into everyone’s heart. It is not too late to open our hearts and receive him. What kind of reception will we give to the king who brings salvation?

Summary

When we know that Jesus comes to us with a message of peace and mercy, it can give us strength to face our own weaknesses. Jesus does not remove our difficulties, but he brings with him a peace that surpasses all human understanding.

We can find refuge in him. The king did not come to judge us, but to love and have mercy. This is the message that carries with us during Holy Week.

Holy Week is a good opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ suffering and how it affects us today. Palm Sunday begins this journey and reminds us of Jesus’ great love. Like the crowds of old, we can rejoice in knowing that Jesus is with us. He is a savior who is ready to fill our hearts with peace and joy.

The call to Jesus is an ongoing process. Do we want to draw near to him with our hearts and acknowledge him as the King of our lives? This is the question that each of us must seek the answer to during Holy Week. Let us open our hearts and receive our King, who brings light into the darkness.