Palm Sunday | Day 1 of Hope Week
This devotional is the first installment in our Hope Week devotional series—following Jesus' journey from the gates of Jerusalem, to the cross, to the hope of the empty tomb. Join us every day from March 29 to April 5 to re-experience the story of His sacrifice and the magnitude of His love!
Today, let's reflect on the events of Palm Sunday—Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Today, let's reflect on the events of Palm Sunday—Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Read: Luke 19:28–44
Consider:
Turmoil, confusion, anger, expectation, panic! These are words you can find almost daily in the news, describing the emotions coming out of many parts of our world today.
They are also words that could describe the area in and around the city of Jerusalem in March or April of 33 AD.
Imagine around 2 million people in Jerusalem—usually a city of 70,000. Word had spread about a man who could heal the lame, cure the sick, make the blind see, drive out demons, and bring the dead back to life—and who now entered the city (John 12:12)! This man had told those who had witnessed His works not to tell others—yet the news traveled fast, and people clamored to see Him do miracles. They had been told about a Messiah who will come and save His people. Could this be Him? Would the Jews finally be free from Roman oppression?
As the crowd gathered to witness and worship His entrance into Jerusalem, His disciples joined in (vv. 37-38). These were the men Jesus had chosen to follow Him, men who had waited three years to see how He would claim His kingship. They had witnessed miraculous things and heard teaching unlike anything before—yet, even after Jesus’ warnings (Luke 9:21–22; 9:43–45; 18:31–33), the significance of the moment remained beyond their understanding. They must have felt a mixture of excitement and fear as the crowd packed in—and the religious leaders took notice.
The Pharisees, who were used to being at the center of attention during the celebration of Passover, now saw an outsider capturing the attention and adoration of the people. They responded with anger and outrage over this “blasphemy.” How could a carpenter from Nazareth claim to be God? In John 12:19, their frustration is evident as they exclaim, “Look, the world has gone after Him!” This man must be stopped!
But then, we come to the source of the commotion. In the middle of the chaos, there was Jesus. He was not on a warrior’s steed, but on a donkey. He fully embraced the worship of the people, even telling the Pharisees that if the people did not worship Him, the rocks themselves would cry out (vv. 39-40)! With His eyes fixed on the path ordained before His humble birth, He rode on, knowing what lay ahead for Him in Jerusalem. He knew His identity as a prophet, priest, and king. He was the Lion from the tribe of Judah and the sacrificial Lamb of God. He was the peace in the middle of a storm—embracing the worship now and the challenge to come.
What emotions do you feel this Easter season? Are you wrapped up in the tension of the culture and the confusion of the people—or the grace and compassion of our Lord?
Jesus is still our peace that passes all understanding. He calls us to focus on Him, not the chaos. This Palm Sunday, let’s adopt His posture of stillness in the storm—and prepare our hearts for His sacrifice in the days to come.
They are also words that could describe the area in and around the city of Jerusalem in March or April of 33 AD.
Imagine around 2 million people in Jerusalem—usually a city of 70,000. Word had spread about a man who could heal the lame, cure the sick, make the blind see, drive out demons, and bring the dead back to life—and who now entered the city (John 12:12)! This man had told those who had witnessed His works not to tell others—yet the news traveled fast, and people clamored to see Him do miracles. They had been told about a Messiah who will come and save His people. Could this be Him? Would the Jews finally be free from Roman oppression?
As the crowd gathered to witness and worship His entrance into Jerusalem, His disciples joined in (vv. 37-38). These were the men Jesus had chosen to follow Him, men who had waited three years to see how He would claim His kingship. They had witnessed miraculous things and heard teaching unlike anything before—yet, even after Jesus’ warnings (Luke 9:21–22; 9:43–45; 18:31–33), the significance of the moment remained beyond their understanding. They must have felt a mixture of excitement and fear as the crowd packed in—and the religious leaders took notice.
The Pharisees, who were used to being at the center of attention during the celebration of Passover, now saw an outsider capturing the attention and adoration of the people. They responded with anger and outrage over this “blasphemy.” How could a carpenter from Nazareth claim to be God? In John 12:19, their frustration is evident as they exclaim, “Look, the world has gone after Him!” This man must be stopped!
But then, we come to the source of the commotion. In the middle of the chaos, there was Jesus. He was not on a warrior’s steed, but on a donkey. He fully embraced the worship of the people, even telling the Pharisees that if the people did not worship Him, the rocks themselves would cry out (vv. 39-40)! With His eyes fixed on the path ordained before His humble birth, He rode on, knowing what lay ahead for Him in Jerusalem. He knew His identity as a prophet, priest, and king. He was the Lion from the tribe of Judah and the sacrificial Lamb of God. He was the peace in the middle of a storm—embracing the worship now and the challenge to come.
What emotions do you feel this Easter season? Are you wrapped up in the tension of the culture and the confusion of the people—or the grace and compassion of our Lord?
Jesus is still our peace that passes all understanding. He calls us to focus on Him, not the chaos. This Palm Sunday, let’s adopt His posture of stillness in the storm—and prepare our hearts for His sacrifice in the days to come.
Written by
Liane Clark, Homeschool Director
Reflect:
What emotional storms in your life make it hard to focus on Christ? How could you find comfort in His peace instead?
Join Us for Hope Week!
At Crossroads, Easter is more than a day. It's the culmination of a week of expectation—as we follow Jesus from the gates of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the cross on Good Friday, to His triumphant resurrection that first Easter morning.
Explore our Hope Week services and resources via the button below. We invite you to experience the sorrow, victory, and joy of the salvation story like never before!
Explore our Hope Week services and resources via the button below. We invite you to experience the sorrow, victory, and joy of the salvation story like never before!
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