Palm Sunday falls one week prior to Easter Sunday each year and marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is the day when Christians gather to wave their palm fronds or palm branches in the air to commemorate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem just days before his arrest.
So why was his entry into Jerusalem such a big deal?
In Jesus' time, many Israelites were gathering in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. As they gathered, stories began to spread of a great prophet and healer, Jesus. People were talking about how he had brought about miracles, healed the sick, and even raised a man from the dead. There was much chatter and many Israelites were excited to meet him.
But not everyone was excited. The Pharisees, Chief Priests, and others were nervous (and maybe a little scared) of the power and influence Jesus was gaining. Up to that point, they hadn't been able to do anything to temper or control his influence. But as Jesus entered Jerusalem, many people gathered and began proclaiming things like "Hosanna, hosanna in the Highest!" (hosanna means 'savior') and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" As they did this, they lay their cloaks, tree branches, and palm fronds on the ground to make a path as he entered the city.
This act was a way that the people were showing that they too believed he was the son of God. This day, this triumphant entry into Jerusalem, marked the beginning of the series of events that would lead to Jesus' death.
In one way, it seems kind of odd to celebrate this day.
On the other hand, it feels like celebrating is exactly what we should be doing.
Jesus lived his life teaching love, compassion, and service to all people. "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." And while this was a threat to those in power during his time, he lived this truth and showed many others how to live into this truth too.
So… tacos on Palm Sunday? Absolutely! While Jesus' sacrifice is somber, the example of his life, the ways he continues to teach us to live, even today, and the length he was willing to go to teach of God's love for all people should absolutely be celebrated.
Even with tacos.
