Palms

There were thousands of Palm Sunday messages offered at churches around the globe yesterday. Each one probably spoke about Jesus and His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Our church's pastor even spoke about the significance of the palm tree in Greek culture and the "victory" they proclaimed. This morning, I thought of one more "Palm Sunday" connection that most likely didn't get made.

If you Google the words "Jesus" and "Palm" in a search for images you will see picture after picture of Jesus, most likely riding on a donkey, surrounded by lots of people waving palm branches. The search results are expected.

Now add one word to that search. Search Google for images using the words "Jesus" and "Palm" only add the word "Nails." You will get an entirely different result. That's because there are two meanings to the word palm. Yes, a palm is a tree. But it is also the inside of a human hand. It is where Jesus was nailed to the cross.

Our pastor told us on Palm Sunday that palm branches were used to sweep the temple after the Maccabean revolt which ended in 160 BC. I just thought it was interesting that palms were used to clean a dirty temple and Jesus' palms were used to clean OUR dirty temple - our souls.

This Friday we will celebrate Good Friday. It could easily have been called Palm Friday in my opinion. Either way, it is a time to reflect on the cleaning of our hearts by recalling what Jesus did for us on that cross.

"26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you." - Psalms 118:26-28