Liturgy of the Palms

1Verse 1. As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two of His disciples 2Verse 2. and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 3Verse 3. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’” 4Verse 4. So they went and found the colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. They untied it, 5Verse 5. and some who were standing there asked, “Why are you untying the colt?” 6Verse 6. The disciples answered as Jesus had instructed them, and the people gave them permission. 7Verse 7. Then they led the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, and He sat on it. 8Verse 8. Many in the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields. 9Verse 9. The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10Verse 10. “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” 11Verse 11. Then Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

12Verse 12. The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13Verse 13. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” 14Verse 14. Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written: 15Verse 15. “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion. See, your King is coming, seated on the colt of a donkey.” 16Verse 16. At first His disciples did not understand these things, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered what had been done to Him, and they realized that these very things had also been written about Him.