Palm Sunday
Waving the Palm Branch of Victory
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Palm Sunday is upon us. We will begin this Sunday’s Divine Service with the joyful singing of “All Glory, Loud and Honor,” with Palm Branches in our hands, and then everything abruptly shifts with a focus on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
But what about those palm branches? What story do they tell us?
Palm branches are mentioned only twice in the New Testament. Once in the opening Gospel today and secondly in the book of Revelation, as St. John writes,
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages,
standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9)
Interestingly, the first palm branches appear after Lazarus is raised from the dead. They serve as a way to welcome Jesus, the resurrection, and life into Jerusalem, and then come to the hands of God’s children, who now stand in His eternal presence.
For this reason, besides the cross, there may not be a more meaningful symbol of Christ’s victory than the palm branch.
So don’t be shy this Sunday, but grab a palm branch as you enter the sanctuary and join the procession of God’s Church on earth as it moves toward Jesus’ cross and grave this Holy Week, palm branches in hand and hosannas on your lips—trusting that God has saved you through His Son Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
Then take the palm branches home and hang them behind a cross so that when you see them throughout the year, they serve as a reminder that you, like all the faithful who have gone before,
[are] blessed heirs of heaven,
[who’ll] hear the song resound
Of endless jubilation
When you with life are crowned.
In your right hand Your maker
Will place the victor’s palm,
And you will thank Him gladly
With heaven’s joyful psalm.
(Entrust Your Days and Burdens, St. 5, LSB 754)
Do not grow weary and weighed down, my friends, but pick up your palms, sing Hosanna, and like Lazarus, know that God will raise you too.
Your unworthy undershepherd,
Pastor Rogness
