Palm Tree

The date palm thrived around desert springs, providing shade, sweet fruit, and a landmark of life-giving water (Jericho was “the city of palm trees”). Tall, upright, and long-bearing, it was an obvious emblem of a thriving life.

So the psalmist declares, “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.” Carved palms decorated Solomon’s temple, and at the Feast of Tabernacles the people gathered palm branches to rejoice before the LORD. Waving palms became a gesture of celebration and welcome.

That is why crowds spread palm branches before Jesus at his entry into Jerusalem, hailing him as king — the origin of Palm Sunday. And John sees the redeemed multitude in heaven standing before the throne “with palms in their hands,” the palm now a banner of final victory and praise.