The Triumphal Entry

As Jesus approached Jerusalem for the last time, He sent two disciples ahead with specific instructions: find a donkey with its colt, untie them, and bring them. This fulfilled a prophecy from Zechariah written hundreds of years before: "See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey."

The disciples brought the animals and placed their cloaks on them. Jesus rode into Jerusalem, and the crowds went wild. They cut palm branches and spread them on the road before Him. They shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" The whole city was stirred. People came running to see who this was. "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth," came the reply.

The children in the temple courts were also shouting "Hosanna!" The religious leaders were angry and told Jesus to silence them. Jesus replied, "If these were silent, the very stones would cry out." Coptic Christians celebrate Palm Sunday every year by processing with palm branches, waving them just as the crowd did. We remember that Jesus is our King — not a king of war and power, but a King of peace, love, and sacrifice.