Palm Sunday: Where Are Your Eyes Fixed?Luke 19:28–40
- Pastor Jin
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
Today is Palm Sunday, a day filled with waving branches, joyful cries of “Hosanna,” and the anticipation of Easter’s victory. It also marks the end of our Lenten journey—a season traditionally spent in prayer, fasting, Scripture reading, and self-reflection.
For some, this Lent may have been a time of deep spiritual renewal. For others, it was a
season of emotional or physical difficulty. Perhaps you experienced loneliness, fatigue, or silent struggles no one else knew about. If that’s you, hear these words: “You’ve been
through a lot. You endured it well. Truly, you’ve done well.”
I say that not just to you, but to myself too. This Lent was one of the most emotionally and mentally draining seasons I’ve had. If I had to name the heaviest part, it would be a deep sense of helplessness—the burden of facing a situation I couldn't fix, and the weight of confronting my own weakness. Then, just this past Friday, I received heartbreaking news. My mentor—the pastor who first taught me English, who walked with me through my earliest days in the U.S., who helped shape the pastor I am today—passed away. When I first heard the news, I was numb. But later, seeing photos of her posted by her family, and rereading a message she had sent me months ago inviting me to visit… that’s when the emotions flooded in. I never replied to her message. I didn’t know when I’d have time to visit. And now… I never will. My heart is heavy. And it’s from that place that I share today’s reflection.
The Deeper Meaning of the Palm
On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. People waved palm branches—symbols of victory, peace, and prosperity—hoping Jesus would be the one to restore their nation and bring deliverance. In ancient tradition, palm branches were waved to honor kings returning from victorious battles.
But there’s more. The Greek word for palm, phoínix, shares a root with the mythical phoenix, a bird symbolizing resurrection and eternal life. Even in ancient Egypt, palm trees represented life beyond death. Without realizing it, the people waving those branches were participating in a much deeper story than they imagined.
The crowd wanted a political savior—someone to overturn Roman rule and restore national power. But Jesus entered the city to inaugurate a different kind of kingdom: one of spiritual renewal, sacrifice, and resurrection. He came not to conquer by force, but to transform by love. When they realized He wasn’t the kind of Messiah they expected, their cries of “Hosanna!” turned quickly into “Crucify Him!”
Where Are We Looking?
We may not wave palm branches today with political agendas, but many of us approach Jesus with our own set of expectations. We ask Him to fix our problems, restore our health, bless our finances, or ease our burdens. And when things don’t improve right away—or when suffering persists—it’s easy to grow disappointed or even disillusioned.
But the question for us is this: Where are our eyes fixed?
It’s natural to be drawn to the immediate—to our pain, stress, or uncertainty. Like Peter
walking on water, the moment we look at the waves, we begin to sink. But Scripture calls us to lift our eyes, to fix our gaze not on human solutions, but on God’s promises.
Our spiritual ancestors—the Church Fathers, the early disciples—they, too, knew hardship. What gave them strength was this: they continually redirected their focus from earthly circumstances to heavenly truths. They chose to see with eyes of faith.
Standing Tall in the Mud
Palm branches were also central to the Jewish Festival of Sukkot, a celebration of God’s
provision during Israel’s 40-year wilderness journey. In Hebrew, the root word for palm
carries the meaning “to stand tall” or “to be erect.”
I picture myself in the mud—shoulders deep in sorrow or stress. If I collapse, if I give up, the mud will swallow me whole. But if I can just stand tall and lift my eyes, help will come. God will come. That image—of standing tall in the midst of hardship—is a reminder of what it means to be people of resurrection hope. The palm branch isn’t just about past victories or superficial celebrations. It’s a symbol of endurance, of faith, of looking beyond the visible toward the promise of new life.
A Spiritual Posture
Palm Sunday calls us to consider the posture of our hearts. Are we so caught up in what we want from God that we miss what He’s offering us? Are we shouting “Hosanna!” on Sunday, only to fall into despair by Friday?
Or are we standing—body and spirit lifted—toward the One who offers not just momentary relief, but eternal life?
This Holy Week, may we fix our eyes on the journey of Christ—not just His entrance into
Jerusalem, but His path to the cross. Let us not look away from the suffering, but follow Him faithfully through it, knowing that on the other side is resurrection.
A Palm Sunday Prayer
Gracious and loving God,
We come before You today on this holy Palm Sunday,
Waving our hearts before You like branches—
Longing for peace, longing for hope, longing for You.
You see our struggles.
You know how often we focus on the burdens of this world—
On what we lack, on what we fear, on what we cannot control.
But today, You remind us to lift our eyes,
To stand tall like the palm tree,
To see beyond temporary victories
And trust in the eternal life You have promised.
Forgive us, Lord,
For the times when we wanted You on our terms.
Realign our gaze.
Help us to follow Jesus,
Not only into Jerusalem with joy,
But all the way to the cross with trust.
Give strength to the weary,
Peace to the anxious,
Healing to the broken.
And give us all the courage to keep our eyes on You.
In the name of Jesus—our King, our Savior, and our Hope—
Amen.
