Of all Sundays, this one does not stand on its own. Use this Sunday as a launching point for the week that looms ahead.
The preacher’s task on this Sunday is unique. I tend to think of it as a sort of tour guide that leads the hearers through the procession of the palms to the Passion narrative in Matthew’s Gospel. It is a Sunday full of movement and profound stories that capture your hearers, beginning with the fanfare of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem and ending with our Lord’s crucifixion and the sealing of the tomb. There is a lot of material for the congregation to process, so the preacher’s role is to offer a way for them to do so.
One way to do this is to simply lean into the timeline set before you. This is the beginning of Holy Week. In the distance stands Easter Sunday. We all know it is coming. We are all preparing for it, so do not ignore it. The movement is from the joy and celebration of processing with palm branches, singing “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” and just a week away stands the victorious song of the resurrection as life breaks forth from the grave. But in between these two peaks lies the dark valley where our Lord’s ministry will clash with the sinfulness of fallen humanity.
This is where the preacher comes in. The crowd on Palm Sunday greets Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna!” This is one of the few words (along with “Alleluia” and “Amen”) which are regularly transliterated rather than translated. Therefore, remind your people what they are saying, in fact, what they all sang on the way into church. Hosanna means “save us,” or even “save us now.” It is a plea for divine help. This is a confession of our situation. We are sinners in need of a Savior, and here the cry is correctly directed to the one who rides into town on a donkey.
We are sinners in need of a Savior, and here the cry is correctly directed to the one who rides into town on a donkey.
The events that unfold throughout the week are the material of this saving work of our Lord. Here we have the institution of the Lord’s Supper, the promise of the resurrection, the arrest and trial of Jesus, the brutality of the crucifixion, and His burial in a borrowed tomb. Instead of going in depth on each of these scenes as they unfold, it might be helpful to give your hearers an overview of the high points, over and over again, directing them to see how these events point to their own salvation and continued perseverance.
However, they may not want to walk down into the valley between Palm Sunday and Easter Morning. It is easier to shout out “Hosanna!” rather than hear the haunting cries of “Crucify him!” Yet here is the sacrifice, here is the blood of our salvation. So, prepare your listeners for what is to come, and serve as their guide. Give the basic outline as you invite them to join you on the journey. Of all Sundays, this one does not stand on its own. Use this Sunday as a launching point for the week that looms ahead.
God bless your preaching!
Additional Resources:
Craft of Preaching-Check out 1517’s resources on John 12:12-19.
Concordia Theology-Various helps from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO to assist you in preaching this Palm Sunday.
Lectionary Kick-Start-Check out this fantastic podcast from Craft of Preaching authors Peter Nafzger and David Schmitt as they dig into the texts for this Sunday!
The Pastor’s Workshop-Check out all the great preaching resources from our friends at the Pastor’s Workshop!
