Praises Like Blossoms
Palm Sunday and Holy Week
Blessed is the King ©Barbara Bjelland, oil on canvas, 20” tondo.
Unless noted, all text and images ©2025Barbara Bjelland
On March 29 we celebrated Palm Sunday. Now Holy Week has begun! This is my tondo painting of the momentous event. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the day that lambs were chosen for the Passover feast. He rode into town on a donkey rather than a war horse, symbolizing humility and peace. The crowd waved palm branches and yelled, “Hosanna! Hosanna to the Son of David! (Matthew 21:1-11).
Ancient prophecies and psalms were brought to life, promises such as this:
Lift up your heads, O gates!
be lifted up, O ancient doors
that the King of glory may come in! (Psalm 24:7).
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever (Psalm 118:27, 29).
The crowds praised Jesus with these psalms, which are still used in worship today. These ancient songs look to Christ’s coming into our hearts now, and to his future return.
I used my “artist’s license” to add some unusual details to the painting above. Angels watch in wonder and add their praises. People in white robes wave palms branches outside the temple. They are time travelers from the Book of Revelation which describes Jesus’ return to earth, when palms will again be waved in his honor (Rev. 7:9). He will return in glory wearing many crowns and a robe dipped in blood (Rev. 19:12, 13).
The Lord comes in both majesty and tenderness.
The King of Glory on a Donkey ©Barbara Bjelland, pencil and digital, 8” x 8”.
Saint Ephraem the Syrian (306-373) wrote poems and hymns to proclaim his faith. His beautiful words capture the scene on that first Palm Sunday, and the praises of the faithful throughout the ages:
Fair and eloquent flowers
have the children strewn before the King:
The donkey was garlanded with them,
the path was filled with them;
they scattered praises like flowers,
their songs of joy like lilies…
praises like blossoms.
Blessed is he who was acclaimed by your children…
Blessed is he who gave us
so many opportunities for good!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
When we see the tenderness and majesty of Christ,
our praises will also spring up like blossoms.
Closing Prayer
Lord Christ,
You called for a donkey ride into Jerusalem, as the crowds of children waved palm branches, and even the rocks sang out in your honor. As the cross loomed ahead, you soon you would ask the disciples to prepare a room to celebrate the Passover.
You would wear the crown of thorns on our behalf, die on the cross that brings victory, and rise in glory.
As we continue our journey through Lent, may we prepare our hearts for you today, to worship you, to open the gates for the King of Glory to come in.
In your name we pray, Amen.
Join the discussion:
What causes your praises to spring up?
Love this post!! Praises like Blossoms!! The artwork is SO BEAUTIFUL!! (I love the "artistic license" of the angels and the time travelers from the time of Revelation!!), and the drawing of The King of Glory on a Donkey is so sweet and touching!! Your words help me reflect on "so many opportunities for good"!! Yes, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!