From Celebration to Covenant - Palm Sunday and The Lord's Supper

March 29th, 2026
by Pastor Jon Cannon

Sermon Notes for 29 March 2026

From Celebration to Covenant –
Palm Sunday and The Lord’s Supper

HOLY WEEK EVENTS

Day 1: Palm Sunday

Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem
“Hosanna (please save us) to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Day 2: Monday

Jesus clears the Temple

Day 3: Tuesday

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives where He taught His disciples about the signs of the end times and the importance of vigilance in prayer.
This event is often referred to as the Olivet Discourse.

Day 4: Wednesday

The Bible doesn't say what the Lord did on Wednesday of Holy Week.
Scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of Passover.

Day 5: Thursday

Maunday Thursday – Passover and Last Supper

Day 6: Friday

Trial, crucifixion, death and burial

Day 7: Saturday

(Sabbath) - Jesus is in the tomb

Day 8: Sunday

Resurrection

I. THE KING WHO WAS PRAISED (Palm Sunday)

Matthew 21:1–11 (NKJV)
1 “Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.
3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.
7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.
8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”
10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”
11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Prophetic Fulfillment:
Zechariah 9:9 (NKJV) “Behold, your King is coming to you… lowly and riding on a donkey…”

II. THE KING WHO REDEFINES PASSOVER (Last Supper)

Luke 22:19–20 (NKJV)
“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it… ‘This is My body which is given for you…’ Likewise… ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood…’”

Key Truth: Jesus transforms Passover into a personal covenant.

III. THE KING WHO GIVES HIMSELF (The Cross Foreshadowed)

The Bread - Represents His body broken.

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) “He was wounded for our transgressions… by His stripes we are healed.”

The Cup - Represents His blood poured out

Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV) “Without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

Communion is not just symbolic—it is remembrance with meaning.

1 Corinthians 11:26 (NKJV) “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”

IV. FROM PALM BRANCHES TO THE TABLE

Contrast:

Palm Sunday	Last Supper
Celebration	Sacrifice
Crowds	Intimacy
Expectations	Revelation
External praise	Internal transformation

Key Truth: You cannot truly celebrate the King without receiving His sacrifice.

V. PREPARING THE HEART FOR COMMUNION

1 Corinthians 11:28 (NKJV) “But let a man examine himself…”

1. Examine Your Relationship with Christ
2. Examine Your Heart
3. Examine Your Gratitude

APPLICATION

1. Move from Spectator to Participant
2. Move from Praise to Surrender
3. Remember What It Cost
4. Receive Grace Again

COMMUNION SCRIPTURE READING

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (NKJV)
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Time of Reflection:

“If there’s sin—confess it”
“If there’s bitterness—release it”
“If there’s distance—come back”

The same Jesus who rode into Jerusalem is here right now—inviting you to the table.

From the palm branches – to the bread and the cup, Jesus is not just the coming King; He is the crucified Savior, and He is worthy of your whole life.

Will you give your life to Jesus today?

Pray this prayer to receive Jesus as your Savior:

“Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again to give me new life. Today, I turn from my old ways and invite You into my heart. Be my Lord, be my Savior, and help me follow You all the days of my life. Right now, I trust you as my Savior and will follow you as my Lord. Thank You for loving me. Amen.”

Assurance of Salvation

If you prayed that prayer and meant it in your heart, you can be sure that you are saved.

Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

John 10:28 (NLT) “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”

(If you prayed to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord, please complete the Connection Card below and watch the "Bridge Illustration" video at the bottom of this post.)