‘The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!” Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.’ (John12:12-16)
‘“For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.’ (Luke 23:31-34)
Trees, one marks the great celebration, the coming of the Messiah, the Son of David, into Jerusalem. The other perhaps the most tragic day in history, and yet both really mark the greatest victory to ever occur.
The palm trees branches were waved to welcome the coming promised King to His throne, in Jerusalem. Mimicking the celebration of Tabernacles, however it is occurring now at Passover. Many of the people, encouraged by Jesus approaching Jerusalem on a donkey, and the great miracles done through Him, thought now is the time for Him, the promised Messiah, to be enthroned, and take control out of the hand of Rome. In reality, no throne on earth would suffice.
And yet, only days later, Jesus would be hanging on another tree (the cross) on the outskirts of the same city, treated as an outcast by many from the same place, rejected out of fear and jealousy by the authorities, cursed by society, and bearing so much more…all the sins of humanity and curses meant for us all, even though He was without sin. Dying a most dreadful death, humiliated by so many, and abandoned by all, it was hard to see this as victory, but it was.
‘Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.’ (Galatians 3:13,14)
‘“If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.”’ (Deuteronomy 21:22,23)
In this most costly death sin is defeated, and all who call on His name are freed from those sins and the associated curses that could bring sickness, disease, and death. True freedom is born. And in a just a few days, Christ arises from the tomb, defeating even death. Jesus was sent to reunite God’s children with Him for eternity, for until Christ paid this price we were separated from Him, enslaved to sin and death.
‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 6:23)
But such an act would not only bring us back to His family, but also free us from the burden of our sins, and the curses that follow. For in the most unfair divine exchange, as He hung upon that tree, He took all our sins and curses, and exchanged them with freedom. Once and for all!
‘Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.’ (Hebrews 9:12)
Our challenge is to not only to believe in Christ as the Son of God, Messiah, Saviour, Lord, and the Almighty; but, also to appropriate His gift of freedom from curses and sin by faith. Generational curses, or those which would follow when we break the laws of God, have been all taken by Him, and we receive that gift as we receive Him as our Lord and Saviour. The blood He shed washes us white, clean in Him. When our Father in heaven looks at us, He sees Christ within, and His right standing with Him, and He calls us blessed not cursed.
‘“And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.”’ (Leviticus 23:40)
But, what of the palm branches. Were they waved in vain? Hardly, a prophetic sign, yes. For surely, the King of kings will ride into Jerusalem, not mounted on a donkey as of first, but upon a white horse.
‘Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.’ (Revelation 19:11-16)
First He came as the Servant King, and He will come again as the Conquering One. The palms signalling the season. He dies on Calvary’s Cross at Passover, poured out His Spirit at Pentecost, and reveals His coming in the season of the third great festival of the Hebrews, that is the Feast of Tabernacles, when we will truly dwell with Him forever.
‘And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’ (Revelations 21:3)
So both trees represent victory, and reveal the depth of God’s redemption. For He was not content that the kingdoms of the world would become the Kingdom of God’s, but that His children would be set free from sin and death, and live eternally in His presence. In faith, as we believe in Him, this is ours. No longer enslaved, defeated by the world and its temptations, but more than conquerors.
‘“For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”’ (Isaiah 55:12)
So now perhaps we can understand this prophetic verse in the Bible. For in the wonder of His creation, our Lord blessed the trees with an integral part of His victorious plan, and it seemed they were aware of its importance.
So come, let us get ready to greet the coming King with our tree branches, and join with them in clapping our hands, for surely His is coming soon. The Spirit and the Bride of Christ say “come”, let our voice rise with their’s as we watch and honour His return with the trees.
‘And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely…He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!’ (Revelations 22:17,20)
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