What is the deal with the palm branches?

Good morning!

Just a quick update this week and next week.

This Sunday is, of course, Palm Sunday.  It is the day where we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem to great fanfare while riding on a donkey.  The authors of the Gospels each describe this event, although only John specifically mentions the crowd having palm branches.  Matthew and Mark write that the crowd used branches from the field, and Luke doesn’t mention the branches at all.

So what is the deal with palm branches? 

Well, palm branches were from date palm trees, which were abundant around Jerusalem during Jesus’ time.  The dates that they produced were a mainstay of the people’s diets. 

Palm branches were a symbol of victory in the ancient world, particularly in the Greek and Roman Empires.  The Greek’s awarded palm branches to the victors of their various athletic contests.  The Romans decorated everything (including their outfits) when they wanted to celebrate any victory.  Lawyers would put palm branches on their doors when winning a big case.  Military leaders would be honored with a toga that had a palm branch motif.  They even put the palm tree on the coins that were used in Judea as a way to remind the people of their victory over the Jews.

For the Jewish people, the palm branch was a symbol of the victory they would ultimately have as God’s people.  The people watching Jesus enter Jerusalem were waving palm branches to acknowledge Him as king.  Unfortunately, when most of the people realized that Jesus did not intend to overthrow the Romans and give the people a military victory, they abandoned Him.

The celebrating of Jesus on Palm Sunday does not compare to the coming celebration of Jesus that John writes about in Revelation 7:9:

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

I often say that Sunday morning worship is a glimpse of the worship that awaits us in heaven, and Palm Sunday is no exception!

Here's what’s happening:

1.  TONIGHT  -  At 6:30 pm the youth group will meet, and we will have our final Lenten Prayer Service.  Our focus for the night will be the Next Generation. 

2.  SUNDAY – Our collection of pancake mix and pancake syrup for Oxford Neighborhood Services comes to an end.

3.  SUNDAY – Double Nickels meet for a light luncheon after the worship service.  Be ready to share your favorite Easter Memory!

4.  The sign-up sheets for our Holy Week 24-hour prayer vigil are in the lobby.

5.  Holy Week Services – Good Friday Communion Service – 7pm.  Easter Morning Sunrise – 7 am.  Easter Morning Breakfast – 8 am.  Family Trivia Game – 9 am.  Celebration Service – 10 am.

Invitation Cards are available by the mailboxes.

6. 4/25 – Youth Group Campfire Night at the church.

7. 4/26 – Men’s Breakfast at Kreider’s Market.

8.  Save-the-Dates – VBS will be from 7/7 – 7/11 in the evenings.

9.  It is time for the “spring cleaning” of our email list.  If you are receiving emails from the church and no longer wish to, please let me know.

This Sunday we continue along the Road to the Resurrection.  The accounts of the Triumphal Entry that we find in the Gospels are full of shouting and cheering for Jesus.  In Luke’s account, however, we see Jesus have a very different response when He sees the city of Jerusalem.  We’ll look at His response, why it is significant, and what it means for our journey today.  Invite someone to join you at the Bridge on Sunday!

Scott

PS - Frontier was at the church yesterday and finished our conversion to fiber optic service.  When you come to the church the next time you may have to manually connect your devices to the Wi-Fi again.  Look for Frontier1458.