Palm Sunday Devotional
“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” – Mark 11:9

Today we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem—an event both grand and deeply humble. The crowd cheered and waved palm branches, laying them down like a royal carpet. For a moment, they recognized the Messiah in their midst. Their voices were loud, their hearts full of hope. They cried, “Hosanna,” which means, “Save us now!”

Yet Jesus did not come in the way many expected. He did not ride in as a conquering king, but as a servant King—gentle, lowly, riding on a donkey. His triumph would not be through force, but through sacrifice. His crown would not be gold, but thorns.

Palm Sunday asks us: what kind of King are we looking for? One who fulfills our expectations, or one who fulfills God’s plan? Like the crowds, we are quick to praise when things go our way. But Jesus calls us to follow Him even when the path leads through hardship, silence, and even the shadow of the cross.

As Holy Week begins, let us pause and open our hearts. What part of us cries “Hosanna” with joy? And what part resists the path of surrender? May we lay down not just palm branches, but our pride, our fears, our expectations—and receive Jesus as He truly is.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I welcome You today. Not just into the easy moments, but into the hard places too. Teach me to trust You, to follow You, and to worship You for who You truly are—my Savior, my King, my God. Amen.

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Holy Week Scripture Reading Plan

Palm Sunday (Sunday)
Triumphal Entry
📖 Matthew 21:1–11
Reflect on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the hearts of the crowd shouting “Hosanna!”

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Monday
Jesus Clears the Temple
📖 Matthew 21:12–17
Consider how Jesus calls us to holiness and reverence in the presence of God.

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Tuesday
Teaching and Parables; Authority Challenged
📖 Matthew 21:23–46; 22:1–14
Reflect on the wisdom of Jesus’ parables and His call to true discipleship.

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Wednesday
Quiet Before the Storm; Plot to Betray Jesus
📖 Matthew 26:1–16
Spend time in quiet reflection. Consider the cost of love and the pain of betrayal.

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Maundy Thursday
The Last Supper and Gethsemane
📖 Matthew 26:17–46
Remember the love Jesus showed in washing feet, sharing the meal, and praying in agony.

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Good Friday
The Crucifixion
📖 Matthew 27:27–56
Sit with the sorrow of the cross. Let the weight of Jesus’ sacrifice settle deeply.

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Holy Saturday
The Silence of the Tomb
📖 Matthew 27:57–66
Wait in the quiet. Trust that even in silence, God is still at work.

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Easter Sunday
The Resurrection
📖 Matthew 28:1–10
Rejoice! He is risen. Reflect on the victory of life over death and love over fear.

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