Palm Sunday: A Call for Hope and Justice
Summary
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of a week filled with contrasts—hope, despair, and hope again. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowds cry out, “Hosanna,” not as a cheer, but as a desperate plea: “Save us now.” This cry is not for spiritual salvation alone, but for deliverance from the oppression and violence of empire. The story of Palm Sunday is not just a jubilant parade; it is a protest, a longing for liberation from the forces that crush and divide. The people lining the streets are not simply welcoming a king—they are begging for rescue from the harsh realities of Roman rule.
Two processions enter Jerusalem that day: one, a humble peasant procession led by Jesus on a donkey, proclaiming the realm of God; the other, an imperial display of power led by Pilate, representing the might and violence of empire. The contrast is stark. Jesus’ followers wave palms and lay down their cloaks, not in triumph, but in hope that this humble king will bring true peace and justice. Yet, as the week unfolds, the same crowd that cries “Hosanna” will capitulate to fear, choosing survival over faithfulness when confronted by the overwhelming force of Rome.
This journey through Holy Week is a mirror for our own times. The longing for salvation is not just ancient history—it echoes in our cries today: for justice in the face of violence, for truth in a world of lies, for healing in the midst of brokenness. The “peace” offered by empire—whether Roman or modern—is a false peace, maintained by fear, privilege, and power. True peace, the peace of Christ, calls us to follow the road less traveled, to protest injustice, to build the beloved community, and to trust that even in our frailty and fear, God’s salvation comes in unexpected ways.
Palm Sunday invites us to wave our palms not in shallow celebration, but as a sign of protest and hope. We are called to follow Jesus, not just in moments of joy, but through the pain and uncertainty of Holy Week, trusting that love will carry us, and that resurrection is on the horizon.
Key Takeaways
- “Hosanna” is a cry for help, not a cheer of victory. The crowds on Palm Sunday were not celebrating a conquering hero, but pleading for deliverance from oppression and violence. This reminds us that our deepest prayers often come from places of desperation, and that God meets us in our honest cries for help. [21:05]
- The contrast between Jesus’ humble procession and Pilate’s imperial parade challenges us to discern which kingdom we align ourselves with. The way of Jesus is marked by humility, vulnerability, and peace, while the way of empire is marked by power, fear, and domination. Our allegiance is revealed not by our words, but by the road we choose to walk. [23:05]
- The crowd’s shift from “Hosanna” to capitulation is a sobering reminder of human frailty. When faced with overwhelming force, even the faithful can falter, choosing safety over conviction. Yet, the good news is that Jesus’ salvation is not reserved for the steadfast alone—he saves even the fearful, the capitulators, and the broken. [30:14]
- The false peace of empire—whether ancient Rome or today’s systems of privilege and power—cannot satisfy our longing for justice and wholeness. True peace is not enforced by violence or fear, but is built through love, justice, and community. We are called to protest the false peace of the world and to work for the peace of Christ. [33:02]
- Following Jesus means joining the procession of hope and protest, even when the outcome is uncertain. We are invited to wave our palms as signs of resistance and faith, to walk the road of Holy Week with courage, and to help build the beloved community where God’s love and justice reign. Even in our weakness, love will carry us. [35:02]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - The Meaning of Hosanna
[03:05] - Call to Worship: Entering Holy Week
[04:44] - Opening Prayer: Hope and Pain
[05:37] - Passing the Peace and Announcements
[10:29] - Holy Week Schedule and Invitations
[15:17] - Gospel Reading: Luke 19:28-40
[18:13] - Reflections on Palm Sunday and “Hosanna”
[21:05] - What Are We Asking Jesus to Save Us From?
[21:58] - Two Processions: Jesus and Pilate
[24:13] - The Crowds and the Prophecy of Zechariah
[26:42] - The Reality of Roman Oppression
[29:19] - Why the Crowd Turned: Fear and Capitulation
[31:30] - Jesus’ Unexpected Salvation
[33:02] - The False Peace of Empire Today
[35:02] - Following Jesus: Protest, Hope, and Community
[36:35] - Prayers for the Community
[43:18] - Prayers for Individuals and Needs
[44:27] - The Lord’s Prayer and Offering
[47:39] - Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving
[50:48] - Benediction: Go in Love and Peace
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Palm Sunday – Protest, Hope, and the Road to True Peace
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### Bible Reading
Luke 19:28-40
After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethpage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” ... As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. ... The whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” ... Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
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### Observation Questions
1. What did the crowd do as Jesus entered Jerusalem, and what were they shouting? (Luke 19:36-38)
2. According to the sermon, what does the word “Hosanna” actually mean, and how does that change our understanding of the crowd’s actions? [[21:05]]
3. The sermon describes two processions entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Who led each procession, and what did each represent? [[21:58]]
4. How did the crowd’s attitude change as the week went on, according to the sermon? [[30:14]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The crowd’s cry of “Hosanna” was a plea for help, not a cheer of victory. What does this reveal about the people’s situation and their expectations of Jesus? [[27:47]]
2. The sermon contrasts Jesus’ humble procession with Pilate’s imperial parade. What does this contrast say about the kind of kingdom Jesus was bringing versus the kingdom of Rome? [[23:05]]
3. The crowd shifted from hope to fear, eventually capitulating to the power of Rome. What does this say about human nature when faced with overwhelming force or fear? [[30:14]]
4. The sermon talks about the “false peace” of empire and the “true peace” of Christ. How are these two types of peace different, and why does it matter for us today? [[33:02]]
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### Application Questions
1. The people on Palm Sunday cried out for deliverance from real oppression and violence. What are the “Hosannas” you find yourself crying out today? Where do you feel desperate for God’s help? [[21:05]]
2. The sermon challenges us to consider which procession we are part of: the way of Jesus or the way of empire. In your daily life, what are some ways you might be tempted to choose comfort, power, or privilege over humility and justice? [[23:05]]
3. The crowd’s fear led them to abandon Jesus when things got hard. Can you think of a time when fear or pressure made you go along with something you knew wasn’t right? What would it look like to choose faithfulness instead? [[30:14]]
4. The “peace” offered by the world is often maintained by fear, privilege, or power. Where do you see examples of this “false peace” in our society or even in your own life? How can you work for the peace of Christ instead? [[33:02]]
5. Palm Sunday is described as a protest and a sign of hope, not just a celebration. What would it look like for you to “wave your palm” as a sign of protest and hope in your community this week? [[35:02]]
6. The sermon says that even in our frailty and fear, Jesus’ salvation is for us. How does this truth encourage you when you feel weak or afraid? [[31:30]]
7. The journey through Holy Week is a call to walk with Jesus through both hope and pain. What is one practical step you can take this week to follow Jesus more closely, even if the road is uncertain? [[35:02]]
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Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to pray for courage to follow Jesus, for eyes to see injustice, and for hearts to trust that love will carry us—even when the way is hard.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus’ Triumphal Entry: A Subversive Procession of Peace
The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was not just a festive parade, but a deliberate, counter-cultural act that contrasted the power and violence of empire with the humility and peace of God’s kingdom. As Jesus rode a colt through the eastern gate, his followers cried out for salvation, not in the form of spiritual deliverance alone, but as a desperate plea for liberation from oppression and injustice. This moment invites us to see Jesus as the true King who brings peace, not by force, but by self-giving love, and to recognize the courage it takes to follow him on the path that leads to the cross. [16:38]
Luke 19:28-40 (ESV)
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Reflection: In what ways can you choose the path of peace and humility today, even when the world around you values power and force?
Day 2: Hosanna: A Cry for Real Salvation
The word “Hosanna” is not a simple cheer, but a heartfelt plea: “Save us now!” The crowds on Palm Sunday were not merely celebrating; they were begging Jesus to rescue them from the crushing weight of empire and injustice. Their cry was urgent and desperate, reflecting the pain and longing of all who suffer under systems of violence and oppression. Even today, our own cries of “Hosanna” echo in the face of injustice, violence, and fear, reminding us that Jesus hears and responds to the deepest needs of his people. [21:05]
Matthew 21:8-9 (ESV)
Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Reflection: Where in your life or in the world do you most need to cry out “Hosanna—save us now,” and how can you bring that honest plea to God today?
Day 3: The Kingdom of God vs. The Empire of This World
Palm Sunday sets before us a stark contrast: the kingdom Jesus proclaims, marked by humility, justice, and peace, versus the kingdoms of this world, built on violence, fear, and domination. The two processions into Jerusalem—one by Jesus, the other by Pilate—invite us to examine which kingdom we truly follow. The call is to reject the false peace and empty promises of empire, and instead to join Jesus in building the beloved community, even when it means standing against the prevailing powers of our time. [23:05]
Zechariah 9:9-10 (ESV)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Reflection: What “empires” or systems of power do you find yourself tempted to trust in, and how can you more fully align your life with the values of Jesus’ kingdom?
Day 4: Jesus Saves Even the Fearful and Fickle
Even when the crowds capitulated to fear and abandoned Jesus, he did not abandon them. The story of Holy Week is that Jesus saves not only the faithful, but also the frail, the frightened, and those who falter under pressure. His journey to the cross is marked by steadfast love for all, offering salvation in ways no one expected—through suffering, sacrifice, and resurrection. No matter how many times we stumble or lose heart, Jesus’ love and grace remain, inviting us to return and follow him anew. [31:30]
Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Reflection: When have you felt like you failed or faltered in your faith, and how does knowing Jesus still loves and saves you encourage you to keep following him?
Day 5: Following Jesus: Building the Beloved Community
The call of Palm Sunday is not just to wave palms, but to walk the road with Jesus—to protest injustice, to love boldly, and to help build and rebuild the beloved community. In a world marked by violence, division, and false peace, we are invited to follow Jesus’ example of love, peace, and grace, offering hope and healing to those around us. This journey requires courage, conviction, and a willingness to stand with the vulnerable, trusting that love will carry us through the unknown. [35:02]
Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Reflection: What is one concrete step you can take this week to help build a more just, loving, and peaceful community in the spirit of Jesus?
Quotes
The story of this coming week is, however, that Jesus will still save them. Capitulators, fearful people, frightened, frail ones, everybody. Jesus will still save them from violence and death, although not in the way that anyone hoped or expected. [00:31:24] (20 seconds)
Palm Sunday has always kind of confused me, even when I was a little kid. Because when it's depicted as a jubilant crowd welcoming Jesus, it doesn't make a lot of sense. He's going to his death. But when the crowd is understood as desperate subjects of a bloody empire, shouting for Jesus to save them, Palm Sunday comes into better focus. [00:29:00] (33 seconds)
By the end of the week, the salvation will come when his body is broken by state torture. When he's forced to drink Rome's bloody cup. The journey to the kingdom of God, the journey to an anti -imperial kingdom, will be marked by a cross. [00:31:43] (17 seconds)
So wave your palm and sing with me and follow Jesus and sing with him. Make that way. And do it in the love and peace and grace of Jesus Christ. Instead of turning on him and giving in to empire, follow Jesus and help build and rebuild the beloved community. Follow in Jesus' steps. [00:35:15] (30 seconds)
This peace is one enforced by fear, by violence, by threats, by submission, by disappearing people. It's a peace of privilege and guns and money and power. How? Hosanna, Jesus. Hosanna, save us now. How? We've got to help him. We've got to follow the same road. [00:33:28] (34 seconds)
There wasn't an Ave or an Alleluia to be heard in that bunch. These are branch -waving, sign -carrying protesters begging to be rescued from oppression and injustice, shouting for liberation from the forces of violence and greed and death. [00:28:38] (21 seconds)
In a week, we may still shout out our Easter hallelujahs, but the truth is that in our own day, we are crying out, Hosanna, children and teachers in mass shootings at schools, children and teachers not allowed to learn or to teach, lies pervade and divide our people. [00:32:16] (27 seconds)
Hosanna is a transliteration of the Hebrew term, and it means save us now. Please save us. It's not yay. It's help. In other words, the crowd at the procession was not shouting praises to Jesus. They were begging Jesus to save them. That kind of raises an interesting question. Save them from what? [00:21:05] (41 seconds)
Meanwhile, at the eastern gate, Jesus' noisy supporters were crying out, Hosanna, save us, please save us now. They weren't asking for some sort of spiritual salvation. They weren't asking for a place in heaven or for eternal life. They wanted to be saved from Pilate, from the legion that was entering the other gate, from Caesar, from the foe piece of Roman swords. [00:27:47] (27 seconds)
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