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Palm Sunday is not sentimental. It is not soft. It is not safe.
It is a public act of resistance wrapped in worship.
When we wave palms and shout “Hosanna,” we are stepping into a story that challenges every assumption we have about power, faith, and politics. To understand Palm Sunday in our moment, we must first understand what it meant in its own.
Jerusalem during Passover was politically charged. The festival celebrated liberation from empire — Israel’s freedom from Pharaoh. But in the first century, the people were not free. They lived under Roman occupation.
During Passover, the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, would enter Jerusalem with a military procession. Soldiers, horses, armor, banners — a visible reminder of who held power.
Into that atmosphere rides Jesus.
Not on a war horse, but on a donkey — fulfilling the prophetic vision of Zechariah:
“Look, your king is coming to you; humble and riding on a donkey.”
This was not random symbolism. It was counter-symbolism.
Pilate’s procession proclaimed domination.
Jesus’ procession proclaimed peace.
Palm branches were symbols of Jewish resistance and national hope. When the crowd shouted “Hosanna,” they were not offering polite praise. “Hosanna” means “Save us.”
Palm Sunday was political — not in a partisan sense, but in the deepest sense of public power. It was a clash between two kingdoms: one built on force, and one built on sacrificial love.
We live in a time of deep polarization and political exhaustion. Public discourse often rewards outrage. Strength is measured in who can overpower, dominate, or silence opponents.
Faith communities are not immune. Many churches feel pressure either to align themselves with political power or to withdraw entirely from public engagement.
Palm Sunday offers another way.
Jesus does not baptize empire.
But he also does not retreat from public life.
He enters Jerusalem publicly, courageously, prophetically — and peacefully.
The politics of Jesus are not about control. They are about transformation.
He confronts injustice without mirroring it.
He challenges authority without becoming authoritarian.
He refuses to seize power, even when the crowd expects him to.
For progressive Christians, Palm Sunday reminds us that faithful witness in the public square must reflect the character of Christ. Justice without love becomes vengeance. Power without humility becomes oppression.
The way of Jesus is neither passive nor violent. It is courageous peace.
We often sing “Hosanna” as celebration. But it is first a cry.
In first-century Jerusalem, the people cried out for freedom from Roman occupation. Today, our cries sound different — but they are no less urgent.
Save us from violence and fear.
Save us from racism and nationalism disguised as faith.
Save us from economic systems that exploit.
Save us from environmental collapse.
Save us from despair.
Palm Sunday invites us to name our longing for liberation.
But it also asks us to reconsider what salvation looks like.
The crowd wanted revolution through force. Jesus offered revolution through love.
They wanted triumph. He offered transformation.
The same crowd that shouted “Hosanna!” would later shout “Crucify him!” because Jesus did not fulfill their expectations of power.
Palm Sunday warns us against turning Jesus into a mascot for our own agendas. It calls us back to the difficult, holy work of following him on his terms.
Below is a justice-centered Palm Sunday liturgy shaped for congregations seeking to embody the politics of peace. You can download this text here.
Leader: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
People: Hosanna in the highest!
Leader: Not on a war horse, but on a donkey.
People: Not in domination, but in peace.
Leader: Christ enters the city of power.
People: We welcome the Prince of Peace.
Holy God,
We confess that we are drawn to power that overwhelms.
We long for saviors who will crush our enemies.
We are tempted by fear, anger, and control.
Forgive us when we mistake domination for strength.
Forgive us when we align your name with violence.
Forgive us when we abandon the way of peace.
Turn our hearts again toward Jesus —
Humble King,
Courageous Love,
Suffering Servant.
Amen.
Leader: The One who rode into Jerusalem rides toward us still — not with condemnation, but with mercy. In Christ, we are forgiven.
People: Thanks be to God.
Leader: We cry out, “Hosanna — save us!” Save us from hatred and fear.
People: Prince of Peace, hear our prayer.
Leader: Save us from injustice and violence.
People: Prince of Peace, hear our prayer.
Leader: Save us from despair when change feels impossible.
People: Prince of Peace, hear our prayer.
Leader: Teach us to follow your way of courageous love.
People: Prince of Peace, make us instruments of your peace.
Leader: Go into the world — not as conquerors, but as peacemakers. Follow the One who chose the donkey over the war horse.
People: We go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
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