And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Mark 11:7-9 ESV

Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday. We celebrate Palm Sunday as the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the colt of a donkey, and was welcomed by the people.

Almost 500 years before Jesus came to Jerusalem, the prophet, Zechariah prophesied, “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” This was always God’s plan to save us and bring us close to Him.

Jerusalem is packed with people who have come to celebrate the Passover, which is also why Jesus, and His disciples are coming.

Imagine you are there as Jesus rides into Jerusalem. The people crowd into the street. They have seen His miracles. They have heard Him speak with wisdom in the Temple. They have seen His love. They are joyful, they shout hosannas and blessings. They throw down their cloaks and cut palm branches to lay on the road ahead of Him. Some are ahead of Him, and some are following while His disciples are around Him as He rides. They continue to shout hosannas and praise Him. They celebrate Jesus coming!

If you had been there, would you have thrown down your coat, would you have laid a palm branch in the street as Jesus rode the donkey colt up to Jerusalem? Would you have sung hosannas with all the other people to Jesus in praise and joy?

You can’t really be there, but you can still celebrate Jesus this Palm Sunday. Welcome Jesus into your life and into your home. Sing songs of praise and worship, songs of joy, sing hosannas to the Lord, our Savior. Celebrate that Jesus came to save all those who would believe on Him. He came for you!

This week draw a picture of Jesus coming into Jerusalem on a donkey colt with all the people around singing hosannas and celebrating Jesus. And don’t forget to put yourself in the picture as you celebrate Jesus today, on Palm Sunday. Share your picture with someone so they can celebrate with you!

Blessings and hosannas on Palm Sunday and every day!