PALM SUNDAY

 

Have you ever seen a palm tree? Palm trees grow in hot weather in places like Florida and California. They have very large leaves a produce a lot of palm oil.

In Jesus’ day, people threw palm leaves on the road in front of a king or general to show him honor and respect. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, people did this.

What happened if you did not have palm leaves to throw on the road? What would you do? Would you throw banana peels or apple cores or money or your coat?

How about this?! If you did not have palm leaves, then you waved your arms. It’s like everyone doing the wave. … You can ask your parents to show you how to do that later.

And when your arms got tired, then you could clap your hands. Do you know how to clap your hands? You bring them together like this. (clap hands)

Have you ever clapped before? Why do we clap? We clap to show someone honor and respect. We may clap after someone delivers and inspiring speech or scores a goal. We may clap for sports champions or a great leader. We bring our palms together because we don’t have palm leaves.

Today is known as Palm Sunday because people paid honor and respect to Jesus. We should clap for Jesus because he won something greater than a championship or a battle. On the Cross, Jesus won for us eternal life. He deserves more than our honor and respect. Jesus deserves everything we have and are. With that, let us pray.

Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless these and all children, and give their parents the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.