What Do Donkeys, Palms, and Psalms of Praise Have in Common?

by Jost Zetzsche

Palm Sunday is here — the day in many churches when Sunday School children parade into church waving palm branches, much to the older church members’ delight. 

It’s a lovely tradition, though its cute factor may not fully represent the intensity of the day it commemorates — Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem — just a few days before his brutal crucifixion. Jesus himself, of course, was only too painfully aware of the contrast, and that the jubilant crowds would turn on him in a matter of days. 

To understand the nuances as Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem unfolds, here's a look at how different cultures portray this day in the Bible.

When Jesus Makes a Cameo in Genesis 3

by Alex Duke

Genesis 3 explains how sin crashes into creation and then proceeds to ruin everything and everyone. And yet we’ll also see a spark of God’s promise about how he will — one day — clean this whole mess up by finally crushing the head of the serpent, Satan’s mouthpiece.

Our masterful storyteller, Moses lays out the chapter which plays out like a tragic, five-act origin story for original sin.

And something curious happens in the last two acts for those who have skipped ahead to read the gospels: we see the foreshadowing of Jesus even in the midst of humanity’s low point.

Bible News

The latest Bible-related and Bible-adjacent news

April 8 — 

A third-century Christian hymn, discovered on ancient papyrus, has been revived as “The First Hymn” for modern worship. The hymn, notable for its early Trinitarian theology, was reimagined with contemporary music by John Dickson of Wheaton College working alongside Grammy-winning songwriters Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding. The song will receive global release on April 11 with a documentary debuting April 14. (Baptist Press)

April 9 — The 2025 Zenger Prizes honored exceptional journalism rooted in on-the-ground reporting and a biblical ethic. Winners included Amitabh Parashar (BBC) for a story on saving baby girls in India, Miriam Jordan (NYT) for aiding Afghan women in California, and McKay Coppins (The Atlantic) for insights on Trump rally prayers. Other publications receiving awards included Wall Street Journal, Christianity Today, and more. (Religion Unplugged)

April 9 — The Korean Bible Society held a dedication service for the New Korean Bible, a modern translation aimed at the next generation of Korean Christians. Completed after 13 years of work by 36 scholars and linguists, it balances faithfulness to the original texts with contemporary Korean language. At the service, Rev. Woonsung Kim emphasized the church’s mission to proclaim and embody biblical teachings in daily life. (Christian Daily)

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In Case You Missed It

Transforming Your Thought Patterns: A Passion Week Journey (With Free 8-Day Devotional)

In the constant noise of our digital age, our minds are battlefields. Every day, we process thousands of thoughts, many of which shape our lives in ways we don’t fully recognize. 

But as we walk with Jesus through each day of Holy Week, we encounter specific moments that directly address our modern thought struggles.

Look at the Book: 2 Corinthians

Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians warns them — and us — to guard against false apostles by using him as a model. Here's your quick reference guide to the epistle, including summary, key verse, important info, and reading guides.

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