Why palm branches on Palm Sunday?

With Palm Sunday just behind us and Easter Sunday just days away, I began wondering, "why palm branches?" I've grown up hearing about how Jesus entered Jerusalem, triumphantly, on the back of a donkey, while the crowds laid palm branches to cover this path and waved them in the air. It was a grand celebration - but again, why palm branches?

Apparently, in those times, it was customary to cover the path of a person who was highly honored, and palm branches were a symbol of triumph and victory. Okay, that makes sense. (Oh, and did you know that according to wikipedia, "The Romans rewarded champions of the games and celebrated military successes with palm branches." Neat, huh?)

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!" John 12:13

But something else was brought to my attention as I read up on this. Why a donkey? Sure, we know that Jesus and his crew weren't exactly rolling in the money as part of their ministry, but surely someone would have been willing to provide a more noble animal for him, right? Well, it seems symbolism plays a part here too. A donkey is a symbol of peace, where at the time, the horse was a symbol of war. Well that certainly makes sense. (Also, it's interesting to think back to before Jesus was born, we saw Mary riding a donkey into the town of Bethlehem where she would deliver the baby Jesus.)

I'll never forget one of the most memorable Palm Sundays from my past - where the choir entered down the center aisle carrying palm branches. They laid them about the church and it was such a joyous occasion. We didn't have the palm branches this year, but maybe that's something I'd like to have in our home next year for Palm Sunday. What a good way to get your kids into the spirit of the holiday and open the door to a teaching moment!

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 in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9

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Why palm branches on Palm Sunday?

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