As long as you live here on earth and provided you are a Christian especially a Catholic faithful, you will continue to celebrate Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday in preparation for Easter. 

Palm Sunday commemorates when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the week before his crucifixion and death.  Although the people cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David!!!” and greeted him with anxious expectation; however, by Friday, they would crucify him.  It shows the inconsistent nature of human beings. One week after he entered Jerusalem was the Resurrection of Christ when he first appeared to the myrrh-bearing women.

What happened during the time of Jesus is still happening now especially in Nigeria where people have learnt to call the kettle black today and tomorrow the kettle shall be called white. Politics abound everywhere and it was not an exception that time. The symbolism of the donkey may refer to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, unlike the horse which is an animal of war.  A king would have ridden a horse when he was bent on war but Jesus rode on a donkey to symbolize his arrival in peace. Christ’s entry to Jerusalem would have thus symbolized his entry as the Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging king.

In the Gospel of Matthew it says “As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her.  Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away”. This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet “Say to Daughter of Zion, “see your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey”. The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!!!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!!!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!!!”  When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the Prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” Matthew 21:1-11.

Palm Sunday reminds and celebrates when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, as foretold in a prophecy in the Old Testament in Isaiah and Zechariah. The people wanted an insurrectionist to topple Rome.  Jesus did come to defeat an enemy, but not the one they had in mind.  Instead, he came to defeat the enemies of sin, death, and the devil that ensnared every man and woman since Adam and Eve.

Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week leading to the Jewish holiday of Passover.  Jesus rode on a donkey through the town of Jerusalem on His way to conquer death and bring us life through his sacrifice on the Cross. Jesus voluntarily gave himself as our sacrificial Passover Lamb when they led him to his death on the Friday of that week. 

So why did the people wave palm branches and place them at the feet of Jesus’ colt?  No doubt, in Palestine, where Jesus ministered, there were plenty of palm trees scattered throughout the land.  But what was the meaning of using palm trees? The branches and trees actually have a significant meaning.  People did not just grab whatever leaves they could find for no reason.  The branches are a symbol of victory (Rev. 7:9).  The Jewish people wanted victory, victory over the Romans who had invaded their land.  Jesus did come to enact a victory, but not quite the one they had in mind.  When we use palm branches in our services, we can remember how Jesus conquered death for us to have a chance of salvation through him.

Jesus rode a donkey on Palm Sunday as a symbolic fulfilment of prophecy and a declaration of His true mission. This act directly fulfilled that which prophesied that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem “righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.” By doing this, Jesus publicly announced that He was the long-awaited King, but not in the way many expected.

In ancient times, rulers rode horses into battle, but a donkey symbolized peace. Jesus did not come as a warrior to overthrow Rome; instead, He came as a humble King bringing salvation. The donkey also reflected Jesus’ humility and servant-hood.  Unlike the powerful image of a warhorse, a donkey was a simple, everyday animal, used by common people.  This choice emphasized that his Kingdom was not about earthly power but about love, sacrifice, and redemption.  As he entered Jerusalem, the crowds laid palm branches and cloaks before him, shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”  They welcomed him as a King, but many misunderstood His purpose, expecting a political saviour rather than one who would die for their sins.

Special Prayer for Palm Sunday:

Lord God, we give you thanks, for you are good, and your mercy is endless, but we are distracted by many things.  Turn our eyes now to the one who comes in your name, the one who opens the gates of righteousness, and the one who answers when we call. We bless you, Lord, for shinning your light upon us, and for sending your Son to us, in human frailty, to walk the road we walk.  Open our eyes that we may see Him coming and may praise Him with a pure heart, and may walk in the way of His suffering and share also in his resurrection.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

God Bless Nigeria!!!