Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter when we remember the day Jesus entered Jerusalem for the very eventful week leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection. As he rode the back of a donkey laden with cloaks, the people welcomed him into the city with palm branches while shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9).
To commemorate this historic occasion, my church hands out palm branches for the congregation to wave during the worship service. Yesterday was an extra special experience for me as I watched my 5-year-old daughter wave her branch with great enthusiasm and pride. One thing to know about this younger daughter of mine is that she detests hand motions of any kind in a song. She is happy to sing and sway (ever so slightly) to the beat, but she is not at all interested in the motions and dance moves that so many other children enjoy. Knowing this bit of information about her is what made her unabashed and excited waving of her branch remarkable to me. She had her little arm stretched as high as it could reach waving that branch as widely as she could swing it. When one arm grew tired, she switched to the other arm. Every time she switched to her left arm, she would unknowingly smack me in the face. I did not dare ask her to wave more calmly for fear that she would stop altogether. I instead took the beating and used that moment to pray "Hosanna" over her. "Lord, save now. Save her, I pray."
My daughter doesn't yet know the Jesus we welcomed with palm branches yesterday, but she knew she was in the presence of greatness. She doesn't yet know the significance of "Hosanna," but she knew she was singing something powerful. She doesn't know that her mom - whose face she was repetitively smacking with her branch - was praying for her at that very moment. I eagerly hope for the day my prayer for her will be answered.
Use this week to read about the days leading up to the cross. Pray "Hosanna" over the ones around you. "Lord, save now. Save us, we pray."
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