Last week we drove from Pennsylvania to Florida. As we travel, I often think about what it was like exploring this land for the first time, the technology available (or lack thereof), and the unknown. This drive, I thought back even further -- 2000 years! Could you imagine walking everywhere? To spread the name of Jesus, His early followers had to walk…everywhere! Now all we have to do is hit record and send. Boom -- his message radiates around the world.
In Jesus’s day he mostly traveled from the areas near Jerusalem to areas around the Sea of Galilee. On the roads today, it would take over two hours in a car. That would be like walking from Willowdale Chapel to somewhere near Washington, D.C. Can you imagine the time and energy that would take? I can’t even fathom the longer trek of Jesus’s family’s travels to and from Egypt when he was a boy! When Jesus turned water into wine, news began traveling fast…by foot! They knew there was something special happening.
In his last days, Jesus spent time traveling back and forth in towns between Jerusalem and the Jordan river, approximately 20 miles apart! In his final journey, Jesus leaves Bethany for Jerusalem. John 11:18 tells us that it was about a two-mile trip. Jesus knew with every step where it led.
The day we celebrate him entering Jerusalem is almost upon us. My mind often jumps to the following days when he defied it all. He sacrificed himself for our sins! He rose from the dead! But first, he entered Jerusalem on a donkey, after traveling by foot.
This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday -- the day Jesus was showered with joy and gratefulness as he enters the city that will bring His death. Such a beautiful image of a parade, smiles, and palm leaves waving over. As I picture it, I question, why palm leaves?
As a child, growing up a Catholic, I can remember Palm Sunday service as one where I held a big palm branch and paraded around the church. Despite doing this, I didn’t fully understand why. What is special or significant about a palm leaf? So this week, I decided to do a little more research…
Palm Sunday’s name and celebrations include palm leaves because of the leaves spread before Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. John 12:12-13 says, “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’”
Palm leaves were not used just for Jesus’s arrival. Palm leaves had great meaning in those times. They represented joy, triumph, and grandeur. They were not only used on coins and to decorate significant structures like temples, they were used during celebrations and the arrival of kings, conquerors, and other heroes of the time. They were laid out in a path like the red carpet of our day. They were waved above those being honored as they walked down the street.
1 Kings 6:29 states Solomon decorated his house to the Lord with palm trees. In Leviticus 23:40 we are told to rejoice before the Lord with branches of palm trees.
At the time, the people of Jerusalem were waving palm branches over Jesus for joy, hope, and gratitude. Little did they know the significance of their celebration as Jesus would die and rise again just one week later.
As we go through Holy Week, let us remember what Jesus did for us. How he faced this time with humility, understanding, and passion. Let us live with the same for Him! Now, go share His love and message, one step at a time!
Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
A former teacher, coach and personal trainer, Kristin Ryan now loves being a stay-at-home mom.
As someone who has more recently found Christianity, she enjoys learning and growing in her faith and is excited to share her experience with others.
Kristin and her husband, Casey, have four small children (one was born during the pandemic) and one big dog.
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