A man was going down a street when in a store window he saw a very beautiful picture of the crucifixion. As he gazed spellbound at the vividly pictured story, he suddenly became conscious that at his side stood a young boy. The boy, too, was gazing at the picture, and his tense expression made the man know that "The Crucifixion" had really gripped the eager little soul. Touching the boy on the shoulder, the man said, "Sonny, what does it mean?" "Doncha know?" he answered, his face full of the marvel of the man's ignorance. "That there man is Jesus, an' them others is Roman soldiers, an' the woman what's cryin' is His mother, an'" he added, "they killed 'im!"

The man did not want to move from in front of that impressive piece of artwork but he had other things he had to do, so he turned and walked away. In a few moments he heard footsteps on the street behind him, and there came rushing up the boy. "Say, mister," he exclaimed breathlessly, "I forgot to tell you, but He rose again!"  

– Unknown

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter. It ushers in Holy Week. It is a celebration of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. Palm branches were waved and placed on the road before his donkey by the cheering crowd.

The palms symbolize victory. For Palm Sunday it is the commemoration of the final victory over death by Jesus' death and resurrection. The mood of the day is a mixture of triumphant joy in the procession, followed by a growing realization that the crowds that cheered on Sunday would shout "crucify him" on Friday.

Sources: The Dictionary of Bible and Religion, William Gentz | The Bible Almanac, White

Easter Quotations

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? This is so true that even Satan cannot deny it. Christ's resurrection and victory over sin, death and hell is greater than all heaven and earth. You can never imagine his resurrection and victory so great but that in actuality it is far, far greater.

Martin Luther

Something happened on Easter Day which made Christ more alive on the streets of Jerusalem forty days after his crucifixion than on the day of His Triumphal Entry. A false report might last forty days but the church which was founded on a Risen Christ has lasted for nineteen centuries, producing generations of the race's finest characters

Ralph W. Sockman in Pulpit Preaching.
Christianity Today, Vol. 41, no. 4 Horton

We understand and acknowledge that the Resurrection has placed a glorious crown upon all of Christ's sufferings!

A. W. Tozer in Renewed Day by Day