Palm Sunday celebrates when Jesus entered Jerusalem, and people welcomed him by waving palm branches and laying them on the ground as he walked by.
This year, on March 24th, we celebrate Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday. It’s the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week for Christians. During Holy Week, we remember the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and his death on Good Friday. Christians also believe in his resurrection, which we celebrate on Easter Sunday.
Here’s a simple explanation of Palm Sunday:
Does This Story Have a Donkey?
Yes.
The four books in the Bible written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell us about when Jesus went into Jerusalem. They each talk about how people welcomed Jesus as he entered the city.
The Gospels tell the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem, and they agree that he rode on either a donkey or a young donkey called a colt.
In the Bible, when it talks about a “colt,” it’s usually talking about a young donkey, not a young horse. So, the word “colt” means a young donkey in the Bible, not a young horse.
Pierce says this reminds him of a story from the Jewish scriptures. It’s about a king who wins a battle and rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.
In Judaism, they say that the part in Zechariah talks about the Messiah, who is a spiritual king that will bring peace to Israel without force. They think the donkey mentioned there shows humility.
In Christianity, the donkey is often seen as a symbol of Jesus because it patiently carries burdens, similar to how Jesus carried the burdens of others. Horses, on the other hand, are linked with kingship, strength, and battles.
All About Palms: A Quick Guide
On Palm Sunday in the Bible, when Jesus was walking along the road, a happy crowd welcomed him. Some people put their clothes on the ground as a carpet, while others cut leafy branches from trees and threw them down. In the Gospel of John, these branches were from palm trees, which stood for winning and success.
In the Gospel of Matthew, the crowd shouted: “Please save us, descendant of David! God bless the one who comes in the Lord’s name! Hooray in the highest heaven!”
After the parade, the Bible says Jesus went into Jerusalem and then went into the temple.
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How People Celebrate Palm Sunday
The special ceremony usually begins with priests blessing palm branches. Then, they read about the last moments of Jesus’ life, called the Passion of Christ.
In some German-speaking countries, there used to be ceremonies where people would have a figure of Jesus riding on a donkey. This figure was called a “Palmesel,” which means “palm donkey” in German. During these ceremonies, worshippers would place palm leaves on the ground in front of the Palmesel as they took part in lively processions.
On Palm Sunday, Christians in the Holy Land celebrate by having Masses and walking in processions. They remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. People carry palm leaves and olive branches as they walk from the Mount of Olives to the Old City of Jerusalem. This city is important to three major religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
In many churches, people take palm branches home after a special service. Some of these palm branches are later turned into ashes.
The Journey from Palms to Ashes: What’s Involved?
Some churches make their own ashes by burning old palm branches, while others buy them instead.
They’re used to create the ashes for Ash Wednesday, a serious day of fasting and thinking that marks the beginning of Christianity’s most reflective time.
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