PALMS

Many Christians recently celebrated Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four Gospels. This entry would lead to Jesus’ death and resurrection from the dead a week later.

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”  –John 12:12-13  (NIV)

There were many pilgrims coming to Jerusalem for the annual Passover feast. Many had heard of Jesus’ ministry and were excited to proclaim Him as the Messiah. Hosanna means “save us” and is a statement or exclamation of praise. How fitting that the crowd took palm branches, which were often used in celebrations of victory, and gave praise and honor to Jesus.

 

 

Photo courtesy of Tim Abbott under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

What are some other passages about palm trees?

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”  –Psalm 92:12-15  (NIV)

We learn that a palm tree is sturdy and flourishes, which causes it to bear much fruit even in its old age. What a beautiful parallel with the righteous being like the palm tree. They will continue to bear fruit for God throughout their whole lives.

 

“So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival [Feast of Tabernacles] to the Lord for seven days; the first day is a day of sabbath rest, and the eighth day also is a day of sabbath rest. On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.”  –Leviticus 23:39-40  (NIV)

The Feast of Tabernacles, a third annual pilgrimage, celebrates the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. Since the festival lasted a week, many Jews would build temporary makeshift tents or booths, reminding them of the temporary dwellings during their wilderness journey. At this feast, they were to take branches from rich and lush trees, one being the palm tree, and rejoice before the Lord for the whole week.

 

Photo courtesy of AJ Smith under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0)

We conclude that palm trees represent victory, triumph, flourishing, bearing fruit, and being rich and lush.

 

I read something that is a beautiful parallel with our lives that I had never considered.

It was mentioned that palm trees get their name from the way their open branches resemble the human palm.

 

Photo courtesy of Latin Everyday under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)

 

With that thought in mind, take a few minutes to consider your own physical palms.

Do they represent the palm trees, like in Jesus’ day?

Do they carry on what Jesus began?

 

     Have your palms comforted the grieving?

     Have your palms been folded in prayer?

    Have your palms praised Jesus for the sacrifice of His life?

    Have your palms produced fruit by helping those in need?

 

Photo courtesy of Jessa MD under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Be encouraged this week to…

…raise your palms to Jesus because He has the victory over death.

…be righteous, bearing much fruit with your palms.

…find ways to rejoice in the Lord with your palms.

…know your palms can do much even in old age.

 

When you see a palm branch, may you be reminded of how your own palms  can represent Jesus and carry on what He began.

REFLECTION:

What fruit have you seen from your own palms?
Do you have the  joy of raising your palms to the Messiah?

How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel! They spread before me like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters.  –Numbers 24:5-6  (NLT)

Note: I will take a week off to enjoy being present in the moment with this year's adventure to the Christian Literary Awards. Stop by the site at anytime to read a reflection or two! God bless.