3/28/21 John 12:9-21

The palm tree and palm leaves appear again and again throughout the Bible as symbols of integrity, honor, righteousness, holiness, godly authority, and royal glory. The palm was used in the carved decorations of the temple, usually associated with the Cherubim, but also with the regal lion and the flower in full bloom. In addition though, throughout the entire ancient Near East palm branches were the conventional symbol of public approval and welcome by all the eastern peoples to conquering heroes, and were strewn and carried in triumphal processions. All the Gospels
report that people gave Jesus the kingly honor of strewing palm branches along the path during His triumphal entry. The use of the palm became an almost universal worship convention on Palm Sunday by the beginning of the third century. This Sunday, we will observe this venerable and ancient practice during the service, as we too sing Hosannas to our King, waving these old Biblical symbols of royal pomp and joyous celebration. —Pastor George Grant

Key Words: Palm Branches, Hosannah, Lazarus, Crowd, Sign, World, Greeks
Keystone Verse: Look, the world has gone after Him. (John 12:19)

Bulletin

John 12:9-21
When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of Him but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, ¹¹ because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
¹² The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. ¹³ So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, crying out, “Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” ¹⁴ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, ¹⁵ “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” ¹⁶ His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about Him and had been done to Him. ¹⁷ The crowd that had been with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. ¹⁸ The reason why the crowd went to meet Him was that they heard He had done this sign. ¹⁹ So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him.”
²⁰ Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. ²¹ So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”