Joy of Ministry

Palm Sunday 2026 Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29 and Matthew 21:1-11

It is Palm Sunday, waving palms, shouting Hosanna,

it is a day of hope before a hard week begins.

Before getting to the familiar scripture in Matthew,

let us first reflect on the Psalm.

There is a lot of imagery in the Psalm which is related

to Palm Sunday.

This Psalm begins by laying a foundation emphasizing

God’s faithfulness.[1]

I am not going to read the whole Psalm again,

but listen to a few verses…

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever!

I thank you that you have answered me
    and have become my salvation.
Steadfast love of God and looking to God for salvation.

This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.
A few familiar words -let us rejoice and be glad!

The Lord is God,
    and he has given us light.

God has given light.

Light at the beginning of creation,

light that the Israelites followed in the wilderness,

light that shine in the darkness, light the magi saw,

and Jesus as the light of the world.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
    up to the horns of the altar.

Festival procession of branches, sound familiar?

As I was reading for this Sunday, I wondered about

why palm branches…

In the Bible, palm branches symbolize victory, peace,

and triumph.

They represent hope and the joyous spirit of faith.

In the Old Testament, palm branches are celebrated

during the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing

gratitude for God’s provision and harvest.

Leviticus 23:40…

On the first day you shall take the fruit of majestic trees,

branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and

willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before

the Lord your God for seven days.

Waving palm branches was not something new to

the people of Israel.

In many ways, this is seen by Christians today as a

triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

It was anything but triumphant, at least as far as

appearance its concerned.

Instead, it was a triumphal entry spiritually.

This was not a kingly parade to celebrate an actual

victory, whether that of the Jews against the Romans

or the Romans against another nation.[2]

Jesus’ victory would come later, after the crucifixion

and burial.

That victory comes with the sunrise when he is

resurrected.

Today’s journey into Jerusalem had no purple robes,

no grand stallion, no treasures brought from

conquered nations, no emblems of royalty, no crown.

A simple carpenter who preached and taught, riding on

a donkey.

Zecheriah 9:9 is repeated in Matthew…

Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
    Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you;
    triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Waving palms and shouting Hosana and welcoming Jesus

into the city was a time of hope.

Do you know what Hosana means?

In Hebrew it is a plea to be saved.

The people of Israel were looking for a warrior king                  

to defeat Rome.

No warrior king rode into Jerusalem that day,

Jesus was greater than that.

Jesus, fully human, fully divine who will face trials in

the upcoming week came into Jerusalem humbly,

exhibiting his humanity.

The people who wave palms and shout Hosanna

will change, for in a few days’ time the hosannas

become ‘crucify him’.

The world then and the world today, do not value

a humble life.

Victory and triumph means strength, wealth, power,

being in control over others influencing them

to do their will.

They do not trust in God’s will. 

Jesus knew God’s will, and went humbly to the cross,

not for his own glory, but God’s glory and the

salvation of all.

We are blessed!

How do you and I live a humble life?

My thought is to begin with prayer and trust in

God’s plan,

How might we follow Jesus’ example?

Read the scripture, meditate and learn the deeper

meaning, that will guide us in discipleship.

What ways do you and I care and show God’s glory?

Living our lives with joy, doing for each other, and be

the example of God’s steadfast love.

Let us go out today waving the palms of our heart,

shouting Hosanna, proclaiming the Good News, and

knowing that even as we face the realities of the trial

and death of Christ, Eater morning is coming…

Halleluiah!

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[1] Connections Year A volume 2 page 109

[2] Connections Year A volume 2 page 113