Palm Branches and Street Corners

When we think of palm branches, we think in terms of great vacation destinations. We like these places as we get to go and relax on the beach somewhere and have a good time as we get away from the grind of life. There’s nothing wrong with this, as everyone deserves moments and times to get away and enjoy family and friends.

Yet, there’s a deeper meaning when we think of Palm Branches and Street Corners when it comes to scripture.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He both fulfilled a prophecy and created what we call Palm Sunday. In this moment He was worshiped, celebrated and decorated as the Messiah and the Christ of His people. As He was coming in to that city, the people cut palm branches and began to wave them as He passed by. This speaks of an insight for you and me today.

“Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, ‘Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”

Matthew 21:8-9

When the people cut these palm branches and used them during their celebration they were saying two things.

First, waving palm branches was something people did for kings. They were saying He was the King, and they celebrated Him. They were declaring that He was greater and they worshiped Him. This truth is the same today. As we worship Jesus we are declaring that He is the King of kings, that He is the source and the Ruler of our lives. He is the King! When we lay our lives before Him and worship Him, we are saying this is true. Life is best when Jesus is King!

Second, palm branches also speak of peace and victory. How powerful to remember that Jesus is the Prince of peace! When we serve Him, He gives us peace that goes past our mind and our understanding. Anyone can have this peace. When He is our King and when we worship Him, His peace is available to us. Palm Sunday represents Him being celebrated as King and as the Prince of peace of our lives.

But this truth doesn’t stop here. It’s important to remember these events that happened in the streets of that ancient city. This connects to you and me today.

Jesus wants to touch every street corner!

When Jesus is our King and our Prince of peace, He wants us to give that peace away to the people we see daily. We have to remember that Jesus is the lover of all people and that He has come to give life and to give that life more abundantly – not just for those that we like. Not just for those we think are good enough. But He came for everyone! He wants as many people as possible to be touched by His love and power.

Palm Sunday weekend reminds us that every street corner is important to God. The street corners in the rich neighborhoods, in the poor neighborhoods. The street corners in the big cities or the small towns. The street corners that border famous peoples homes or the street corners that are occupied by drug dealers and the homeless. All street corners are valuable because people are of great worth to Him.

Our mission is to give Jesus away! It’s simple, and it’s powerful. Reach for those around you, love them unconditionally and give what we have received. Jesus thinks that all people are amazing. He thinks that people are worth His life. He thinks that people are worth the sacrifice that He made. Therefore, our job is to see others as He sees them. This is a process we have to grow in, but as we think of Palm Branches and Street Corners, we can remember that He is our King and our peace. We can also know He is reaching for you, He is reaching for me and He is reaching for those around us.

I pray this Palm Sunday stirs a passion in you to worship Jesus to and give Him away. May you have a great Easter season, and may His love and grace touch you more and more, as the best is yet to come.

He lives,
PD