Palm Sunday

I have always loved the palm tree because it is such a perfect example of a godly man. No matter how severe a storm, how much drought, or even if it is burned, a palm tree will survive. In fierce winds, the palm tree was designed to bend with the wind, sometimes bending nearly in half, yet not snapping. In drought, the roots go so deep into the ground that the tree is able to tap into life-giving water. In fire, the outer fronds of a palm tree will burn, but it is so resilient that it is usually able to recover, even when it is charred black.

Historically we see the palm tree used to celebrate royalty. We think of Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans arrayed with big palm fronds being waved. They are regal and kingly.

When Jesus was on earth he was given a day of magnificent honor, fulfilling prophecy from hundreds of years before. On the day that we celebrate "Palm Sunday" we remember how Jesus was led into the city of Jerusalem on a young, unbroken donkey. As He rode into the city the streets were lined with people who had seen him heal their sick, defy the elements and fill their hunger. They saw One who was capable of being their conquering King.

"Hosanna, Hosanna to the Highest" The voices rang with enthusiasm and praise. These words were exactly what God had planned, in fact, if the people didn't shout them the rocks would cry out! This was a moment of honor and praise for our Lord.

Our family has a tradition of picking palm fronds the day before Palm Sunday and taking the fronds to Sunday school the next day so the children can wave them in the air and shout "Hosanna!"

I always love the honor and the delight that dances in the air as everyone celebrates the Lord. But I also always have a hesitancy in my heart as I think of how easy we give praise and excitement. How easy it is to give, yet how easy it is to curse and condemn.

I would think that there would have to be quite a lapse in time before someone could go from to praising to condemning. Unfortunately our frail humanness allows us to hail our King one week and condemn Him to death the next.

The palm tree is a beautiful example of having roots that are grounded deep in life-giving water. Jesus said, "He who drinks from me will never thirst." When storms come the palm tree has roots that are so deep that stability is there--even when it is blown nearly in half. Christians are not promised easy times--nor even good times. On the contrary we are exhorted to "Take up [our] cross and follow [Him]." What trials may be attached to that??? We are assured "In this world you will have tribulation." When fire comes to a palm tree it survives because it has water deep in its fibrous tissue.

In the midst of our trials, fires, and droughts where can we find assurance? Jesus words: "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

May our intellect, emotion, and body drink deep from God's word. May God let His water quench our thirst, and may we come back again and again for more of His life-giving water so that our roots can deepen into the depths of His rich soil. May our lips be filled with praise. "Hosanna to the most High!!!"'