Palm Sunday: Beginning the Journey of Holy Week
Walking Through Holy Week, Part One
Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Christian calendar, inviting believers to walk alongside Jesus through the final days of His earthly ministry.
In the Greek this holiday is Πάσχα (Pascha) in Greek, in part from the Hebrew פֶּסַח (Pesach), which refers to the Passover. Interestingly, Indonesian Chrisrians the word "Paskah" and my Swahili-speaking friends us "Pasaka," both very similar to the Greek and Hebrew.
In the United States, "Easter," which appears to derive from Eostre, a pre-Christian goddess celebrated at the beginning of spring, has been the name most often fixed to this special time of year.
If the pagan origins of this English name trouble you, it's understandable. From my perspective, I don't find this particularly troublesome because it's clear that from the beginning, Christians have been in the business of redeeming people, words, and holidays. In other words, the practice of transforming cultural elements for sacred purposes has been part of the faith from its earliest days.
Today, I invite you to embark on a journey with me through the meaningful events of the week ahead, exploring the profound spiritual significance that Holy Week holds for Christians around the world as they commemorate Christ's passion, death, and resurrection.
As Holy Week begins, we focus on one of the most profound moments in the Christian calendar: Palm Sunday. This day marks the beginning of Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, setting in motion the events that would lead to his crucifixion and resurrection.
The Triumphal Entry
"When he came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying to them, 'Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here.'" (Luke 19:29-30)
As Jesus approached Jerusalem on a humble colt, crowds lined the streets, waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!" This wasn't just any arrival—it was a fulfillment of the ancient words of the prophets. By choosing a colt rather than a warhorse, Jesus revealed the true nature of his kingdom: one built on peace and servanthood rather than military might.
The crowds recognized Jesus as king, but their expectations would soon be challenged. They wanted a ruler who would overthrow Roman occupation, but Jesus came to establish a different kind of kingdom—one that would transform hearts rather than political structures.
Finding Ourselves in the Story
Palm Sunday invites personal reflection. Like those first-century crowds, we often want Jesus to be king on our terms—solving our problems, defeating our enemies, making our lives comfortable. Yet the Jesus who enters Jerusalem embodies humility, peace, and sacrificial love.
This Holy Week, consider:
What expectations am I placing on Jesus?
Am I willing to follow him in moments of triumph and on the path of sacrifice?
Remembering Palm Sunday teaches us to surrender our agenda to God's greater purposes. We practice laying down our outer garments—our status, security, and self-importance—as we follow a king who rides toward sacrifice rather than earthly triumph.
Prayer for Today: Lord, help me surrender my expectations and welcome You as You truly are, not as I want You to be. Give me courage to follow where You lead, even when the path leads through difficulty. Amen.
What Holy Week traditions are meaningful to you? Share in the comments below.
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Steven E Fairbanks
Steven E Fairbanks
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