Palm Sunday: A Symbolic Prelude to Spiritual Fulfilment

1. Today, on Palm Sunday, we remember the moment when Jesus entered Jerusalem, and the crowds shouted "Hosanna!" which means God, save us! This wasn't just any entrance—it was the triumphal entry of the fulfilment of God's promise to save His people. Jesus came to Earth to make promise fulfilled. His mission was to bring salvation, and that salvation comes through faith in Him, particularly through His death and resurrection. So, when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, it wasn't just a parade—it was a step toward fulfilling God's covenant. He knew what lay ahead: the cross. Yet, He didn't withdraw away from it. He obeyed God's plan fully. He knew He was on a mission to save humanity, and He followed through, no matter the cost. That's why Palm Sunday is so significant. It reminds us that salvation isn't something we can earn through our own efforts. It's a gift from God, freely given. All we can do is have faith in Jesus and respond to God's call. Palm Sunday shows us the depth of God's love and the extent to which He went to offer us salvation.

2. Today I want to meditate how our faith and actions reflect our journey on God's path to salvation. Our focus is on baptism following the sermon schedule. The reason I chose to keep this topic is that Palm Sunday and Baptism share the similar meaning. Each Bible has certain patterns and if we find the pattern from the Bible, it helps us understand the work of God. Palm Sunday, as we all know, is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice for us in Jerusalem. It's the cornerstone of our faith journey. Now, baptism—it's more than just an immersion into the water. It's a symbol, a powerful one, reminding us of God's incredible gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. It's like a visual symbol of our commitment to follow Him, to walk in His ways. Let's take a moment to read from Galatians 3:26-29:

Galatians 3:26–29 NKJV

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

3. These verses from Galatians remind us that when we have faith in Christ, something profound happens—we become part of God's family. Baptism is like a big signpost marking this change—it's like entering Christ's body, becoming one with Him. And you know what's amazing? God does not care of our past, our background, none of those matters when we are entering the body of Christ. In God's eyes, we're all on equal footing, all part of His grand plan for salvation. At the heart of it all is Jesus Christ. God sent Him down to Earth, and through His obedience on the cross and His resurrection, Jesus brought us salvation. Palm Sunday? That's where it all begins—the final step of Jesus' journey toward that ultimate salvation. What's striking is Jesus' obedience. He didn't just follow God's plan halfway; He went all in, even when it meant facing His own death. He put God's desires above His own, and because of that, He fulfilled God's blueprint for our redemption.

Philippians 2:5–7 (NRSV)

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,

Philippians 2:8–11 (NRSV)

he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore, God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

4. When we read a book, we can really get into the author's perspective by spotting certain patterns, almost like keywords. Likewise, when it comes to Jesus, well, he's seen as not only a saviour, but also a guide for how to live our lives. So, when we look at what went down on Palm Sunday, there's a whole lot we can learn from it, stuff we can apply to our own lives. Let us take a step back and think about it. Even before Palm Sunday, Jesus already knew what he should do. He knew what God has planned for him on this Earth, and he wasn't afraid of following it, not one bit. It's like that passage in Philippians says—Jesus was all about obeying God, no matter what. Now, how does this tie into baptism? Jesus' journey, his presence, it all helps us get a better grip on what baptism's all about. It's about making a choice, just like Jesus did. It's about saying, I decided to be with God through Jesus for the sake of God's kingdom. Just like Jesus didn't dodge his mission, we're called to commit ourselves, to follow in his footsteps, and obey God's call, no matter where it leads.  

John 13:1 KJV 1900

Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

5. When we look at Jesus, there are two big lessons we can have. Firstly, it's crucial to grasp what God wants us to do. Jesus was always tuned in to God's plan. From the get-go, he knew exactly what God had in mind.

Luke 4:18–19 (NIV)

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

6. When Jesus kicked off his ministry, he made it crystal clear what he was all about. He stood up, opened up the scrolls of Isaiah, and laid out his mission. He wasn't here to build some fancy empire like Rome. His purpose was far deeper. He came to bring freedom, and not just any freedom, but freedom in God's name. His words? They were like a trumpet blast announcing the year of Jubilee. Now, what's that? It's a time of joy, a time when chains are broken, and captives are set free. It's about finding real rest and freedom in God, a time when all the wrongs are made right. The year of Jubilee is a big call to come back to God. If you had been far away from God, if you were astray from God's way, this is the moment to turn around, if you were not able to solve your sin problems, the year of Jubilee is the declaration of our recovery in God. It's like a fresh start, a time when God reignites that spark of love and longing for Him. It's a day to recommit yourself to God. And here's the kicker: once we catch that call from God through Jesus, we've got to be ready to jump into action. Jesus didn't go off doing his own thing. He was all about carrying out God's plan, not his own wishes. He's the blueprint for us all. We've got to figure out what God wants from us and then walk that path, just like Jesus did.

Matthew 4:12–14 NKJV

Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

Matthew 4:15–16 (NKJV)

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”

Matthew 4:17 NKJV

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

8. On Palm Sunday, Jesus revealed two crucial lessons: understanding God's will and willingly obeying it. These teachings resonate deeply with the kind of life we choose to lead with Jesus at the helm. It's all about faith for us Christians—believing in Jesus Christ as our saviour and embracing a new way of living in His light. Now, let's talk about faith. It's not something we conjure up on our own or achieve through our own smarts or endeavour. See, if our faith hinges on what we comprehend, it'll have limits, conditions. But here's the point: our faith is everything for our salvation, all because of Jesus Christ. He's the one who gifts us with faith, and through it, we grasp onto the salvation offered by God's grace. It's a gift straight from our Lord Jesus. And let's not forget the incredible gift God has bestowed upon us: salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus laid it all out for us, showing us the very essence of salvation. 

Now, it's our turn to respond to that gift. We don't have to jump through hoops to earn salvation, but we can show our appreciation by living lives that honour God. Just like Jesus obeyed God's will, we can follow the way of Jesus. Baptism is not the finish line of our salvation journey; no, it's more like the starting point. Baptism is our public declaration of faith in Jesus and our pledge to walk in God's footsteps. It's the first step in our new life devoted to God—a tangible way to show our commitment to Him.

Colossians 2:12 NLT

For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

10. Think of baptism like a wedding or graduation ceremony. I took these photos before wedding ceremony. We went to a studio and they let us know which poses and dresses we should wear and have. Let's break it down. In a wedding, the couple makes their commitment official, right? But before the wedding ceremony, there's the proposal where they pledge to be together, confirming their love. The wedding ceremony is when they shout it out to the world. Similarly, with graduation, you got to make sure we've ticked all the boxes to graduate. If not, we're out of luck. Before the ceremony, we confirm our graduation status, and then the ceremony is like the grand announcement for everyone to see. So, with baptism, it's kind of the same deal. It's our way of publicly announcing our commitment to Jesus and our decision to walk the path God has set for us. Just like weddings and graduations, it's a momentous occasion where we declare our dedication for all to witness.

Philippians 1:27–28 NASB 2020

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God.

Philippians 1:29–30 NASB 2020

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

12. Baptism is not only about our personal transformation but also about joining a community of others who have also been changed by Jesus Christ. This community is the church, the body of Jesus, where his followers gather. Together, we collaborate to advance God's kingdom and share His love with the world.

Ephesians 4:1–3 ESV

I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:4–6 ESV

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

13. Now that we're part of the body of Christ, our mission is clear: we live as his followers. Being a follower isn't about being flashy—it's about believing in Jesus, imitating his example, and putting his teachings into action. Jesus entrusted his followers with his mission and empowered them to act in his name. So, as followers of Jesus, it's our job to spread the word and invite more people to join us on this journey of faith.

Mark 16:15–16 NRSV

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:17–18 NRSV

And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

14. As followers of Jesus Christ, we should rely on the Holy Spirit to help us in our mission of making more followers. See, our own understanding is limited, and we're not perfect—we make mistakes. That's why we should continually seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and lean on His power. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to support us in our work. When we talk about what God has done and carry out His work, the Holy Spirit steps in to assist us. So, every day, it's crucial to ask for the Holy Spirit's help in spreading the message of Jesus. And after we're baptized in water, we need to seek out the baptism of the Holy Spirit too. It's an active pursuit, just like how Jesus' first followers went after it. When we receive the Holy Spirit, who assures us of our salvation, He empowers us to share the good news of Jesus, just as Peter did right after being filled with the Spirit in Acts 2.

Acts 2:14–16 NRSV

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

Acts 2:36–37 (NRSV)

Therefore, let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

Acts 2:38–39 NRSV

Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”

15. In conclusion, as followers of Jesus Christ, we're called to live out our faith through our actions and our words. Baptism isn't just a ritual—it's a symbol of our commitment to believe in Jesus, to live like Him, and to spread His message of love and salvation. Just as Jesus taught us, it's our responsibility to help others become His followers too. So, let's make sure we're showing who Jesus is and sharing His endless love with everyone we meet, every single day. Let's take a page from the gospel of Jesus—His humble service, His unwavering obedience to God, like we saw on Palm Sunday—and let's walk in His footsteps. In the end, Jesus is our Saviour and Lord. Jesus invites us to join Him on this life-changing journey of faith and discipleship. Let's answer that call with open hearts and willing spirits.