Palm Sunday : Or Passion Sunday

Palm Sunday: The Sunday of the Passion

Historical, Liturgical, and Theological Reflection

Palm Sunday, also called the Sunday of the Passion, marks the beginning of Holy Week—the most solemn and sacred period of the Church Year. It commemorates the triumphal entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9 and fulfilled in the Gospel accounts (Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12). The faithful greet Him with palm branches and hosannas, yet the same crowds will cry “Crucify Him” by week’s end. The day is a paradox—at once jubilant and somber, triumphal and tragic.

1. Historical and Liturgical Context

The observance of Palm Sunday dates back to at least the 4th century, as recorded in the pilgrimage journal of Egeria, who described processions of the faithful reenacting Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem. The liturgy grew to include the blessing and procession of palms, reading of the Passion narrative, and singing of the "Hosanna" from Psalm 118.

In the Western tradition, the day historically bore two titles: Palm Sunday (focusing on the entrance into Jerusalem) and Passion Sunday (focusing on the suffering and death of Christ). The modern lectionary has combined these emphases, providing two Gospel readings: the entrance (for the procession) and the Passion (for the Divine Service). Thus, the day teaches both the kingship of Christ and the cost of His kingdom—His suffering and death.

2. Theological Themes

Christ the King: Jesus enters not on a warhorse but on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy and showing that His kingdom is not of this world. He comes not to conquer by force, but to reign from the cross. The palm branches, symbols of victory, anticipate His resurrection, though the path to glory will pass through Golgotha.

Christ the Lamb: Palm Sunday also initiates the movement toward the cross. The Passion reading—often from Matthew or John—places before the Church the full account of Christ’s betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death. The One hailed as King is revealed to be the Passover Lamb, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

The Reversal of Glory: The irony is thick: the crowd cries “Hosanna” (Save us!), not realizing what it will cost. The throne is a cross. The crown is of thorns. The royal procession ends not in earthly coronation but in blood, shame, and death. And yet, this is the mystery of God’s redeeming love—that He is glorified not in sparing Himself, but in offering Himself for others.

3. Typology and Fulfillment

Palm Sunday connects with multiple Old Testament types:

• David’s son Solomon rode into Jerusalem on a mule during his coronation (1 Kings 1:33–40), prefiguring Jesus, the greater Son of David.
• The Passover lamb was selected and brought into the household five days before it was sacrificed (Exodus 12:3). Christ enters Jerusalem five days before His crucifixion—the Lamb of God prepared for the altar of the cross.
• The branches waved before Christ recall the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:40), when Israel celebrated God’s provision and kingship. Now, the true King comes to tabernacle among His people in flesh and blood.

Devotional Application: Hail Him as King, Follow Him to the Cross

Palm Sunday confronts every believer with a question: What kind of King is Jesus to you? The crowd wanted a political liberator. But Jesus came to deliver from sin and death. The day is a warning against superficial discipleship—against praising Christ only when it is popular. The true Christian follows Jesus into Jerusalem, to the upper room, to Gethsemane, and to the cross, knowing that the way of life is through death.

In worship, the palms we hold are not for fanfare but for faith. We cry “Hosanna” not as empty praise, but as a cry for salvation from the One who alone can give it. And we learn to see glory where the world sees shame: in the suffering King who reigns from a tree.

New Testament Verse

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9; fulfilled in Matthew 21:5).

Collect for Palm Sunday

Almighty and everlasting God, who sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience, and so be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Verse

“Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die.
O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin
O’er captive death and conquered sin.”
(LSB 441, v. 1)

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, Now and Forever, Unto the Ages of Ages, AMEN!