09-24-2026, 06:06 PM
https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/fu...qus_thread
Jesus, May You Find Me Always Waving My Palm Branch for You
April 13, 2025
[url=https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/our-writers/jennifer-dukes-lee]by Jennifer Dukes Lee
Editor’s Note: Today’s devotion is part of our Holy Week series! Journey with us as we experience the power of Jesus’ love, remember His sacrifice, and walk in the victory of His resurrection. We pray this series prepares your heart for the joy of Easter. Subscribe now.
On Palm Sunday mornings when I was young, the children at my church walked through the aisles waving palm branches in honor of Jesus. I imagined myself among the crowd that welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem, shouting, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9b).
Still, even as a kid, I sensed the celebration was short-lived. In my young heart, I thought, I want to stay here on the streets with the palm branches where everyone is cheering for Jesus! But that long-ago parade didn’t stop on the streets. It led to the cross. The triumphant “Hosannas” would fade into the angry shouts of “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:22-23, NIV).
As an adult, I still wave palm branches at church on Palm Sunday mornings. When I do, my heart holds two emotions at once: joy and sorrow. Joy because I understand what Jesus did for me. Sorrow because I’m aware that He knew the cost. That’s what breaks my heart: Jesus knew. Even as the palm branches crunched under the feet of the donkey He was riding, He knew where this parade was headed. He knew who’d betray Him and who’d deny Him. He knew Sunday’s palm-waving fans would scatter by Friday. He knew what pain and suffering awaited Him. And still He went. Jesus had determined from the beginning that He would love us to His death so we could be given true life.
The magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice is incomprehensible. The depth of His love is incomparable. And the breadth of His goodness makes Him absolutely irresistible.
When He entered Jerusalem that day, everyone asked, “‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee’” (Matthew 21:10-11).
How do we answer that question today: Who is Jesus?
I answer with all my heart:
You are my Savior that’s who You are.
You are my Friend, my Redeemer, and the reason my life has meaning.
You are my purpose, my passion and my pathway to peace.
You are the one true King.
This Palm Sunday, I lay down my palm branches on a different kind of road the road that leads to my heart. I need Jesus to work in my heart every single day as He continues to change me from the inside out. I don’t want to be counted among those who denied Him, betrayed Him or hid when the stakes were high. I want to love Him at all costs. May Jesus always see my branch waving high for Him alone.
Jesus, May You Find Me Always Waving My Palm Branch for You
April 13, 2025
[url=https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/our-writers/jennifer-dukes-lee]by Jennifer Dukes Lee
Quote:“‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’ And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.’” Matthew 21:9b-11 (ESV)
Editor’s Note: Today’s devotion is part of our Holy Week series! Journey with us as we experience the power of Jesus’ love, remember His sacrifice, and walk in the victory of His resurrection. We pray this series prepares your heart for the joy of Easter. Subscribe now.
On Palm Sunday mornings when I was young, the children at my church walked through the aisles waving palm branches in honor of Jesus. I imagined myself among the crowd that welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem, shouting, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9b).
Still, even as a kid, I sensed the celebration was short-lived. In my young heart, I thought, I want to stay here on the streets with the palm branches where everyone is cheering for Jesus! But that long-ago parade didn’t stop on the streets. It led to the cross. The triumphant “Hosannas” would fade into the angry shouts of “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:22-23, NIV).
As an adult, I still wave palm branches at church on Palm Sunday mornings. When I do, my heart holds two emotions at once: joy and sorrow. Joy because I understand what Jesus did for me. Sorrow because I’m aware that He knew the cost. That’s what breaks my heart: Jesus knew. Even as the palm branches crunched under the feet of the donkey He was riding, He knew where this parade was headed. He knew who’d betray Him and who’d deny Him. He knew Sunday’s palm-waving fans would scatter by Friday. He knew what pain and suffering awaited Him. And still He went. Jesus had determined from the beginning that He would love us to His death so we could be given true life.
The magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice is incomprehensible. The depth of His love is incomparable. And the breadth of His goodness makes Him absolutely irresistible.
When He entered Jerusalem that day, everyone asked, “‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee’” (Matthew 21:10-11).
How do we answer that question today: Who is Jesus?
I answer with all my heart:
You are my Savior that’s who You are.
You are my Friend, my Redeemer, and the reason my life has meaning.
You are my purpose, my passion and my pathway to peace.
You are the one true King.
This Palm Sunday, I lay down my palm branches on a different kind of road the road that leads to my heart. I need Jesus to work in my heart every single day as He continues to change me from the inside out. I don’t want to be counted among those who denied Him, betrayed Him or hid when the stakes were high. I want to love Him at all costs. May Jesus always see my branch waving high for Him alone.