Text from Church School Director Wes Conn's Children's Message for Palm Sunday
Today is a special day in the Church. What is so special about today? (Palm Sunday: the day Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem and people cheered and called him a king.) This story is the beginning of what is called Holy Week, a time when we remember Jesus’ last days and the love he has for each of us...
“It was time for Jesus and his friends to go into Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover. Before going into the city, Jesus sent his friends on a special task. After receiving directions from Jesus, his friends went away and found a donkey tied near a door. As they were untying it, people asked, ‘What are you doing with that donkey?’ They told them Jesus needed it to ride into Jerusalem. Then they brought the donkey to Jesus and he sat on it. Many people put their coats on the road before Jesus, and others laid palm branches that they cut in the fields. As Jesus rode towards Jerusalem, people were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’ Some angry people in the crowd did not want people to cheer for Jesus, but everyone kept shouting ‘Hosanna’ because they knew that Jesus loved them. After entering Jerusalem, Jesus went into the temple.”
God, we thank you for sending Jesus to love us and to show us how to live in your world. Help us to share your love with everyone around us. Amen.