A Palm Sunday devotional takes us to the road into Jerusalem. In Matthew 21:9 (ESV), the crowds shout, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Palm Sunday begins Holy Week, inviting us to welcome Jesus as King and follow him all the way to the cross.
Key Verse
“And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”” (Matthew 21:9, ESV)
A King on a Donkey
Every detail of the entry into Jerusalem was full of meaning. Jesus came from the Mount of Olives, the place the prophets associated with the Lord’s coming. He chose a donkey rather than a warhorse, the animal of a humble king coming in peace. The crowds waved branches, a gesture that recalled celebrations of national victory in Israel’s history.
The city itself was swollen with pilgrims for Passover, the feast that remembered God’s rescue from Egypt. Hopes for a new deliverance ran high. Roman soldiers were on alert for trouble. Into that charged atmosphere Jesus rode, fully aware of where the week would end. He was not swept along by the crowd. He was walking deliberately toward the cross.
The Triumphal Entry
As Passover approached, Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims. Jesus sent two disciples to bring a donkey and her colt, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy. As he rode toward the city, people spread cloaks and branches on the road, an ancient way of honoring a king. The excitement was electric.
Many hoped Jesus would overthrow Rome and restore Israel’s kingdom. They were right that he was King, but wrong about what kind of kingdom he would bring.
What Hosanna Means
Hosanna is a Hebrew expression that originally meant save us, please. Over time it also became a shout of praise. The crowd quoted Psalm 118, a psalm sung by pilgrims. Calling Jesus the Son of David was a clear messianic claim. They were welcoming him as the promised King.
In a deeper way than they understood, their cry was answered. Jesus had come to save, but through a cross, not a sword.
From Hosanna to Crucify
Within days, some voices in Jerusalem would shout for his crucifixion. Crowds can be fickle, and so can our hearts. We praise Jesus when he meets our expectations, and we struggle when he does not.
Palm Sunday challenges us to follow Jesus not only in moments of celebration but also into the hard places of Holy Week.
Welcoming Jesus Today
How do we welcome Jesus now? By surrendering our expectations to his wisdom, praising him as Savior, and following him even when his way leads through suffering. Holy Week is a time to slow down, read the Gospel accounts, and walk with Jesus day by day toward the cross and the empty tomb.
Holding Praise and Surrender Together
Palm Sunday invites honest self-examination. Are there places where you welcome Jesus only as long as he fits your plans? Maybe you want him to fix a relationship, but not to change your heart in it. Maybe you praise him for blessings but grow quiet when he asks for sacrifice.
This week, take one area of your life and lay it before him, like a cloak spread on the road. Tell him you want his kind of kingdom there, even if it looks different from what you expected. Then follow him day by day through Holy Week. Read one Gospel chapter each day, and let the story of his love reshape your expectations.
Today, Try This
Read Matthew 21:1-11 today and pray the word Hosanna as both a cry for help and a shout of praise.
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life are you welcoming Jesus on your own terms rather than his?
Prayer
Hosanna, Lord Jesus! Save us, and we praise you. You are the Son of David, the King sent by the Lord. Help me welcome you fully, not just in celebration but in surrender. Walk with me through this Holy Week. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hosanna mean?
Hosanna comes from a Hebrew phrase meaning save us, please. By Jesus’ time, it was also used as a shout of praise. On Palm Sunday, crowds used it to welcome Jesus as the messianic King, as recorded in Matthew 21:9 (ESV).
Why is it called Palm Sunday?
It is called Palm Sunday because crowds waved and spread palm branches as Jesus entered Jerusalem, as John 12:13 notes. Palm branches were symbols of victory and celebration in Jewish tradition.
When is Palm Sunday in 2027?
Palm Sunday falls on March 21, 2027, one week before Easter Sunday on March 28. It marks the beginning of Holy Week, which includes Maundy Thursday on March 25 and Good Friday on March 26.
Keep Reading
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