Palm Sunday - Palm Branch - The Triumphal Entry of Jesus by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Palm Sunday- Palm Branch -The Triumphal Entry of Jesus 

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                          

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical Precepts & Gospel Music 

            The triumphal entry of Jesus to Jerusalem as King, four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John had same narrative, but “Palm branches” only John mentions the palm branches in John 12:13, “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! Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion, see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” (John 12:12-15).

Palm branches symbolize…

   Palm branches were symbols of Jewish nationalism. Significantly, in the glimpse of heaven in Rev. 7:9 Palm branches are being waived by people of every nation, tribe, people and language. For believers, true nationalism is allegiance to the people of God everywhere. John saw a multitude with palm branches in heaven according to Revelation 7:9-12.

    “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding PALM BRACHES in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.” All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thinks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever Amen!” (Rev.9-12)  

     Psalm branches signify the victory of the saints over tribulations, which they have undergone for the Lord’s sake. (John12:13). Palm trees are also a sign of satisfaction gained through being watered. As Exodus 15:27 said, “Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.” (Exo.15:27)

     Palm branches were used for the feast of Tabernacles, in which the people of God rejoiced because of the satisfaction of their enjoyment as Leviticus 23:40 said,

     “On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year. (Lev.23:40).

    And that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from Olive and wild Olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths “as it is written. (Nehemiah8:15).

        The Feast of Tabernacles was a type that will be fulfilled by this great multitude of God’s redeemed enjoying the eternal Feast of Tabernacles. In the temple of God this multitude will flourish like the palm tree as Psalm 92:12-15 says, “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)

Bibliography,

Lee, Witness. The New Testament (R.V.) Anaheim, CA: Living Stream Ministry, 1985.

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.