READ ALL OR PARTS OF LUKE 19:28-44 FROM YOUR BIBLE OR WATCH THE BIBLE STORY VIDEO.

DISCUSSION:  What is your favorite plant, flower, or tree? What’s the shape of the leaf?

STORY: Palm branches are a pretty significant part of “Palm” Sunday. It was part of the people welcoming Jesus as King. Why palm branches, though? Only John specifies that they were palm branches, so perhaps there were other types of branches, but palm branches were definitely special. They were used to celebrate victory when a Roman general returned from battle. As well as being used during an Israelite feast day – “And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.” (Leviticus 23:40)  The people were joyfully recognizing Jesus was a king and they he could save them. Although they did not understand that he was going to save them from something much more important than anything they could've guessed... themselves; their sinful nature, and ours too. The same sinful nature that would result in them choosing to put Jesus on the cross as a criminal very soon.

QUESTION: What book of the Bible do you think we see a scene where people are worshiping Jesus with palm branches as king AND SAVIOR? (hint: your parent or guardian are learning about it during services right now)

ANSWER: Revelation – “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev 7:9-10)

QUESTION: Who needs a savior?

ANSWER: Everyone needs a savior. We have all fallen short of the glory of God, and yet that is why we have a reason to celebrate, shout, and welcome Jesus in just as we see in this story. Jesus is king AND savior. 

WORK ON MEMORIZING OUR SCRIPTURE VERSE!

Jesus, 

You are the King who has come to save! Help us to follow You and obey You as King. We wait with excitement for the day when You will return to rule over everything forever and ever! Hosana! Hosana! (Save us!)

AMEN