Palm/Passion Sunday

Parents, we all know that in today's world of hectic family schedules, moments spent together are few and far between. One of the last remaining opportunities for "family conversation" is in the car ride going from one daily event to another. Download, print, and hang this Holy Week rear view mirror hanger in your vehicle. Take those moments in traffic to continue the conversation on the events around the daily devotions and discuss these questions with your family.

DOWNLOAD Holy Week mirror hanger (PDF)

Matthew 21:1-11, New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

21As they all approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage. It was on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two disciples. ²He said to them, “Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you get there, you will find a donkey tied up. Her colt will be with her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them. The owner will send them right away.”

⁴This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet would come true. It says,

⁵ “Say to the city of Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you.
He is gentle and riding on a donkey.
He is riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ” (Zechariah 9:9)

⁶ The disciples went and did what Jesus told them to do. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt. They placed their coats on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their coats on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ Some of the people went ahead of him, and some followed. They all shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 118:26)
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. The people asked, “Who is this?”

¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus. He is the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Children's Message

Each child will need a palm leaf. If the children process in earlier in the service waving branches, just have them keep the branches until the children’s message. Have them leave the palm leaves on the floor at the foot of the altar until the conclusion of the worship service. If you want to allow them to take the leaves home, have them come forward to gather one branch after the service has ended.

Have you ever been to a parade? When you go to a parade, there is excitement in the air. Crowds of people bunch together to see the parade. People shout and wave when they are at a parade. Children climb on parents’ shoulders to get a better glimpse of the people in the parade. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, people honored him by putting clothes and big palm leaves on the ground. They praised God and welcomed him by shouting “Hosanna,” which means “save us.” They believed that God sent Jesus to help them. They believed that Jesus was the king for whom they had been waiting. The crowd knew who Jesus was, and they went wild. They yelled and waved their branches and threw their coats on the ground. It was a time to honor and praise Jesus. It was a time to be glad, for God’s servant, Jesus, had come.

Let’s try it. When I raise my palm branch, stand up and wave your palm branch and shout “Hosanna!” as loudly as you can. The higher I raise the branch, the louder you can be. When I lower the branch, let’s begin to get softer and place our branches on the floor at our feet and prepare for prayer.

Prayer

Hosanna, King Jesus! Blessed are you, and I praise God for you. Help me to honor you as the one who came to save each of us and all of us. Thank you for loving each of us as you love all of us. Amen.