One of my favorite scenes from the New Testament is Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. After generations of waiting for the promised Messiah, He had finally come, and His believers celebrated this moment with great joy. They:

• “Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him” (John 12:13).
• “And many spread their garments in the way” (Mark 11:8).
• “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9).

I have often wished I could have joined those faithful followers in declaring the Messiah to the world. This year, as I pulled out the boxes of Easter decorations, I asked myself, “Why can’t I?” I may not be standing in Jerusalem waving a palm branch, but I can learn from those who did. Here are three ways we can celebrate the Savior this Easter as inspired by ancient Saints.

Waving palm branches on that sacred day in Jerusalem was how Christ’s followers joyfully demonstrated that they were His disciples. But today, walking around with a palm branch may not be the most effective way to express the love I have in my heart for my Savior and all that He has done for me. Fortunately, He has provided an alternative method for us to demonstrate that we follow and love Him: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).

Last year, President Russell M. Nelson issued this invitation:

This Easter, I can wave my palm branch by following Jesus’s teachings and looking for opportunities to serve my family, friends, and community like He did.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He was openly declaring himself the Heavenly King, and His followers showed their respect by looking to the traditions of their own history. In 2 Kings 9:13, we read about the coronation of King Jehu. “Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.” The crowd’s act of spreading clothing on the path where Jesus entered Jerusalem was deeply rooted in Israel’s tradition, a symbolic gesture of submission to the King’s rule.

I think about the clothes they spread beneath the King of kings that day. Many of those garments were probably handmade from home-spun wool. It took a lot of effort to make clothes and to wash them, and most people didn’t have clothing to spare. But they didn’t hesitate. They laid before the Savior their humble sacrifice, promising to follow Him and all He asked them to do.

This Easter, I can spread my garments in the way by sacrificing my time, talents, and possessions to serve Him and repenting from thoughts and behaviors that keep me distant from Him.

When I think of Hosanna, I think of the temple. I love that today, we shout ‘Hosanna’ during our most sacredly joyous occasions—temple dedications. The word comes from the Hebrew—“hoshia na”—which means “Save us, please!”  So, when we shout Hosanna today, we’re both crying out for God’s help and rejoicing in the salvation He has already given us through Jesus. It’s both a prayer and a praise!

I once gathered with a group of friends before sunrise on Palm Sunday. As the sun rose over the mountains, we shouted Hosanna as a testimony that Jesus Christ, the Son, is risen. I went home and wrote down my testimony, including a long list of the ways He has helped, saved, and loved me.

But Hosannas don’t have to be spoken aloud. There are private times when our hearts reach out to Him in pleading and praise. “And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts” (Mosiah 24:12). He hears every cry we utter asking Him to save us.

I love how Sister Kristin M. Yee praises the Lord and testifies of His salvation:

This Easter, I can shout my Hosannas by turning my heart to Him in pleading and praise, testifying of His bounteous blessings, relying on His ability to save me, and shining His light through word and deed.

▶ 10 minutes a day to a Christ-centered Easter week
▶ Pres. Holland turns the phrase ‘going through the temple’ on its head
▶ Your prayers will be more meaningful if you do this first

A reminder of Christ’s love

This awe-inspiring cultured marble Christus statue depicts Jesus Christ just as the scriptures describe Him, beckoning to us with open arms, as if saying, “Come unto me.”

Sizes come in 19”, 12”, and 9”.

Also available in 3”, perfect for your Easter basket!

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