Palm Sunday, April 10
John 12:1-36

We come to what many see as Jesus’ final sign — his triumphal entry into Jerusalem where a multitude greeted him with waved palm branches (hence, Palm Sunday). What might seem like a strange act of worship made a lot of sense back then. Almost 200 years earlier, the Jewish liberator, Judas Maccabaeus, overthrew ruthless Greek invaders, ending centuries of their dominion of Israel. His followers then entered Jerusalem waving palm branches in celebration that they had a new king. The Jews of Jesus’ day also had liberation in mind. Jesus had recently raised a man from the dead! Surely this is the Messiah who would deliver Israel from the Romans. Surely, they would finally be ruled by the Messiah. But Jesus’ idea of freedom was more far-reaching and thorough than anyone could have imagined. We hope you join us this Sunday as we continue our series in the Gospel of John.