Today is Palm Sunday! It is the last week of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. If we were in the church together, we would be having a parade but, just like last year, today we are celebrating online.
When we hold our Palm Sunday parade, we are acting out the story of Jesus and his disciples entering the city of Jerusalem. They were going there because they were all devout Jewish men and it was the time of Passover, a very special Jewish celebration to remember the time when their ancestors were set free from slavery in Egypt and began their long journey home to Jerusalem – a story we read about in the Old Testament. This city was where the Temple stood and people came from all over the area to celebrate Passover in this sacred place.
In Jesus’ time, the Jewish people were ruled by Rome and not treated very well. The Romans allowed them to practice their religion – as long as they didn’t get any ideas about freeing themselves like people in the story. Many thousands of Jewish people would be in Jerusalem to celebrate in this week so the Romans would be watching them carefully to make sure there wasn’t any trouble. I don’t think Jesus and his disciples set out to cause trouble – but the people had heard about him and were excited to see him coming. Add this to the excitement of Passover itself and you can see why the crowds gathered and started a parade! Some had heard that Jesus was the Messiah and so they expected him to come and save them from the harsh Roman rule. They were cheering because they believed that Jesus was the hero that would change the world for them.
When we celebrate Palm Sunday at BCUC, we include some protest signs to remind us that life was unfair and difficult for the Jewish people at that time. When they thought about their ancestors being freed from slavery in Egypt, they would probably dream of a time they could be free from Rome. So, to remember this, we put messages on our signs to protest the things that were so hard and unfair:
“No more taxes!”
“Feed the Poor!”
“Protect the Widows and Children!”
“Give us Back our Land!”
The people in the first Palm Sunday parade probably were probably not openly protesting. They were more likely celebrating the hope that a better world was about to begin – and they put all their hope in their hero, Jesus. The parade was a hero’s welcome for him.
Can you think of some people who are heroes of hope for a better world today?
If there was a parade like this today, what do you think might be on our signs? Would they be signs of protest or signs of hope?
Response Activity Ideas
Breaking News!
Retell the first Palm Sunday parade as if you are a news reporter. Print and use the template, or create your own by hand or on the computer. Consider including a description of what might have been seen, made-up ‘quotes’ from different people on the street. Can you be a balanced reporter sharing the excitement of the crowd as well as the concerns of the religious leaders?
Click to print PDF
Hero ‘Palm’ Branch
Materials: green paper, scissors, glue, cardboard or paint stir stick, writing tools
Make a palm branch from your palms to recognize the helping hands who bring hope to us and our community! Trace your hand about 4-8 times onto green paper and cut out. On each, write the names of people or professions you consider to be ‘heroes of hope’ around you. Cut a strip of cardboard or use a paint stir stick (or similar) to be the stem. Glue the ‘palm’ leaves along the stem. When dry, wave your branch proudly to thank the heroes in your life and our community!
Holy Week Scavenger Hunt
As a family, try finding the objects on this list (PDF) to represent the events of Holy Week. They could be real objects or pictures or toys to signify the items. Collect them together in a basket, box, or slideshow of images to interact with over the week. Consider adding one or more items such as a butterfly or sprouting plant to represent Easter Sunday, too!
Illustrated Ministry Lenten Package
Jesus was seen as a hero for the people living under Roman rule. He championed the rights of the poor and oppressed, and taught a different way. This is explained more on pg 47-48 in the package. The colouring sheet on pg. 51 is great celebration (like a palm parade) of children, and of Jesus’ way of turning what we think we know upside down!