A Parade of Palms and Praise

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Matthew 21:1-11

TO CHEW ON: "A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road." Matthew 21:8

One day as Jesus and His disciples walked toward Jerusalem, He sent two of them on an errand. “Go to the village ahead of you,” He said. “You will find a donkey tied with her colt. Bring them to me.”

Soon the disciples were back with the animals. They put their cloaks (outer clothing) on the animals’ backs and Jesus got on the colt and rode toward the city.

Crowds gathered beside the road. Many had probably seen Jesus’ miracles and heard His teaching. When they saw Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the donkey, they remembered what prophet Zechariah had said. They recognized this was how Messiah (the Jews’ promised deliverer) would ride into Jerusalem.

Then they took off their cloaks and spread them on the road in the donkey’s path. They cut palm branches and spread them on the road too or waved them as they ran beside Jesus shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” They were honoring Jesus as royalty.

"The Triumphal Entry" - Artist unknown

Spreading coats in the path of a donkey, waving branches and shouting “Hosanna” may seem like a strange way to greet someone who is special. But this was how people of that time honored someone as a king. And they could all get in on the celebration because the things they used – branches, clothes and their own voices – were things they all had.

We too can honor Jesus as our King by using what we have. And what is that? Ourselves and our love, worship and obedience.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to crown You king by giving You my life. Amen.


SUPERSIZE IT: Showing Honor
Though we don’t throw coats on the ground for our kings, queens and presidents to ride over, or wave palm branches as they parade down the street, we too honor important people. Some things we do to honor our kings, queens, presidents, heroes or sports champions are:

1. Roll out a red carpet for them to walk on when they come off a plane or into a reception hall.


2. Have them ride in parades.

3. Meet returning athletes or heroes with flowers.

4. Take care to greet them with perfect manners.

Can you think of more?



 Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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