棕櫚葉、王的路、與我們所背負的十字架 | Palm Leaves, A King’s Path, and the Cross We Carry

經過了棕樹主日，後天就是受苦節。今天余文正弟兄藉著棕櫚葉的特性，與大家一起進行屬靈的反思，預備好自己迎接受苦節。

棕櫚樹不只為人遮蔭，同時代表堅韌、結果實、歷久不衰。它常生長在靠近海邊的地方，擁有能深入乾旱土地並且耐鹽的根系，即使在鹽分高的環境中也能茁壯成長。這成為了一種提醒：真正的力量，不只在於高聳入雲，更在於扎根於艱難之地。

它那具光澤的葉片，如同展開的雙手，被人們廣泛使用：可編織成屋頂、盤子、蓆墊，或藝術裝飾。在棕枝主日，更可被巧手摺成十字架、花朵與愛心——不只是頌讚的象徵，更是獻上的愛與委身。當翠綠褪成柔白，那不是凋零，而是一份靜靜的獻上——從短暫的歡呼走向永恆的敬拜。

在耶穌進入耶路撒冷的那一天，棕櫚枝鋪滿道路，人們高呼「和散那！」卻未曾明白這位騎驢而來的謙卑君王，即將背負十字架。祂不是為了推翻政權而來，而是為了拯救人心；不是靠權勢制勝，而是以順服的愛勝過死亡。

耶穌選擇的是驢，不是戰馬。驢是一種負重之獸，是和平的象徵，如同棕櫚葉沒有張揚榮耀，主也不誇己。祂來，是為了服事、醫治，並捨命作贖價。

透過棕櫚樹，以至剛過去的棕枝主日，可讓我們反思：

我們的信仰根基夠深，能承受屬靈乾旱嗎？
我們的頌讚是否僅是表面的綠意與聲量，還是願意為更高的目的被轉化，甚至倒空自己呢？
我們是否願意像一片棕櫚葉，被摺疊成十字、花朵與心獻給祂？

這一週，讓我們手中的棕櫚葉作品，不只是紀念當時的景象，更是一種敬拜旅程的象徵——從「和散那」到十架的犧牲，從枝葉搖曳到復活新生。

願你有一個蒙福的聖週。讓我們像棕櫚樹一樣：堅定、結果、降服——時刻指向那位永遠掌權的主。

棕樹菜條編成的十字架. | A cross made from the leaflet of a Palm leaf.

Palm Leaves, A King’s Path, and the Cross We Carry

The palm tree—resilient, fruitful, and enduring—offers us more than shade. Often found near the sea, its roots are not only deep-reaching to find water in dry places, but also salt-tolerant, thriving where others might wither. It reminds us that true strength comes not just from growing tall, but from reaching deep—even in life’s harshest soil.

Its waxy leaves, stretched wide like open hands, serve many: woven into roofs, plates, mats, and even handcrafted into expressions of worship. On Palm Sunday, we see them folded into crosses, flowers, and hearts—symbols not just of praise, but of love and surrender. As the vibrant green fades into a soft ivory, it’s not death, but a quiet offering—a transformation from momentary celebration to lasting devotion.

On the road into Jerusalem, palm branches lined the way. People shouted “Hosanna!” not knowing this humble King on a donkey would soon carry a cross. Not to overthrow Rome, but to redeem hearts. Not to conquer by force, but by obedient love.

Jesus chose a donkey—not a warhorse. A beast of burden, a sign of peace. And just as the palm leaf did not demand glory, neither did the Savior. He came to serve, to heal, and to give His life as a ransom.

Palm Sunday calls us to reflect:

Have we rooted ourselves deeply enough to endure spiritual droughts?
Are our praises just green and loud, or are we willing to be transformed, even emptied, for a higher purpose?
Can we offer our lives like a folded leaf—into crosses, flowers, and hearts for Him?

This week, hold your palm creation not just in memory of a moment, but in honor of a journey—from Hosanna to sacrifice, from waving leaves to resurrected life.

Blessed Holy Week to all. May we be like the palm: steadfast, fruitful, surrendered—pointing always to the One who reigns.