Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Matthew 21:8-11 (ESV)
Dear Jesus,
Today, we wave palm branches in Your honor. We sing “Hosanna in the highest!” We shout Your name to the heavens. I want to stay here, Jesus — on the streets with the palm branches, where everyone is cheering for You, hands to the sky. It’s the ultimate party for the ultimate King.
But this parade doesn’t end on the streets. It’s headed straight for the cross. Soon, the “Hosannas” will be a faint echo. People will cry out “Crucify him!”
You knew that, didn’t You? Even as the palm branches brushed against Your arms, You knew where this road was leading. You knew who’d betray you. You knew who’d deny you. You knew how your biggest fans would run and hide.
Today, we watch You ride into town on a borrowed donkey with Your head held high. It’s the only time in all of Scripture where You allowed Yourself to be exalted. But even then, it was never about the crowd’s approval of You. You had Your face set like flint on the cross.
The cross.
No one knew but You. You had determined from the beginning that You would love us to your death, so that we could truly be given life.
The magnitude of Your sacrifice is incomprehensible. The depth of Your love is incomparable. And the breadth of Your goodness makes You absolutely irresistible.
When You came into Jerusalem, the whole city asked, “Who is this?”
Today, I answer with all my heart:
You are my Savior, that’s who.
You are my Lord, that’s who.
You are my Friend and my Redeemer and the reason my life has meaning.
You are my purpose and my passion and my pathway to peace.
You are the one true King.
Today, I spread my cloak and palm branches on a different kind of road — the road that leads straight to my heart. I invite You to enter in, to make a home in my heart, and to change me from the inside out. I want to love You at all costs — not to be counted among those who denied You, betrayed You, or hid when the stakes were high.
May You always see my branch waving high for You. May You always hear my voice exalting You above everything else in my life: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
In Your precious name,
Amen.
Indiane says
I sit here with tears in my eyes knowing Jesus rode on that donkey to His death FOR ME.
He is my God. I would love to welcome Him, waving palms, wiping the dust from His feet…
My heart is full because I am a daughter of the King – praise His holy name!
Beth Williams says
In Courage,
These words are mine: The magnitude of Your sacrifice is incomprehensible. The depth of Your love is incomparable. And the breadth of Your goodness makes You absolutely irresistible. When I pray or take communion & ruminate on just exactly what Jesus went through for me I cry ugly tears. I can’t fathom why Jesus would do such a thing for little ole me. It makes me want to give Him my all. Often times I pray may there be less of me & more of you coming out of me. Wanting to tell/ show the world God’s immense love for them.
Happy Palm Sunday. Raising my Palm branches & hands high!!
Blessings 🙂
Marie Antoinette Ugo says
As we prepare to celebrate Easter,let us not forget to hail Jesus as the King of Kings in our lives.Let us place Him in the highest place for He deserves it all!!!
Annetta says
Thank You, Jesus, for the love you steadfastly revealed and continue to reveal each day. Your humility is overwhelming. I pray my life reveals your love. Today and every day may I exalt You, as my Savior and King
,
Irene says
Well spoken, Jennifer! Glory to God in the Highest!
Heidi Roesli says
Beautiful! Amen.
Julia Bridgewater says
Jennifer I sit here weeping know Jesus suffered so much for my sins, I can’t begin to Praise him enough for all he has done for me. Praise his Holy Name!!
Penny says
Beautiful prayer Jennifer, thank-you. Amen,
Blessings to all,
Penny
Karen Knowles says
Amen, Jennifer!
kimwags says
❤️❤️
LJR says
This is a beautiful prayer! I wave my branches and am always in awe that Christ died for me. It’s hard to fathom.
I’m grateful; Thank you Jesus❣️
Kathy Cheek says
Jesus, He is worthy of all our praise! He fills the whole earth with His glory!
Lord, We lift Your name on high!
Brenda Ulman says
Beautiful and challenging! “May You always see my branch waving high for You. May You always hear my voice exalting You above everything else in my life: ““Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!””
Gail Noe says
Very well said, THANK YOU!!!!!
Joshua Williams says
Please keep me in you thoughts and prayers as well as my fiancee, daughter all of our children and my grandma to keep us all safe and sound and outta harms ways…
And to please help guide me unto the right path to follow you footsteps to keep me away from such an evil life I’ve been living with addiction and sin yet I am so ready to live my life and be as honest and pure as I can by you dear lord God please give me the strength to show me the only righteous way only way I am willing to take your will and your way heavenly father God I am ready for my whole life changes to become a better father husband brother and Man and to help give me directions to keep me holy and away from sins
Vivianmae says
Praying for you Joshua and that addiction won’t tempt you. And that you will be emotionally and spiritually strong each day to counteract sinful cravings and that your days
will be blessed. A friend, Vivian