‘Means Everything to Me’: Jen Lilley Reflects on Palm Sunday
By Movieguide® Contributor
Great American Family actress Jen Lilley is sharing the story of Palm Sunday, plus why the day holds personal significance to her.
“Easter means everything to me, because it’s my ‘Gotcha Day,’” she said in an Instagram video for Great American Pure Flix. “Now, a ‘Gotcha Day’ is something that people call the day you get to adopt your kids, and in my life, we adopted children out of foster care. And while it was the best thing I ever did, it was also the most difficult, and so the detail and the great lengths that God the father went through to adopt me as His child astounds me.”
Lilley often talks about the importance of fostering and adoption and what the experience has taught her.
“It’s really taught me about how, when Jesus says we’re ‘grafted in,’ how greatly he means that,” she told Christian Headlines. “We are grafted in, and we are heirs…with Jesus, with the Jewish people. So that’s what it’s taught me is that God loves us the same and that’s really humbling and astounding in every way.”
Lilley also shared “some details that I hope will touch your heart” about Palm Sunday’s story.
“Now, Easter is actually a celebration of Passover, which is a remembrance of being saved from death and delivered out of slavery out of Egypt,” the actress explained. “And each year for Passover, a family would bring a lamb to be killed, and the lambs would be taken from Bethlehem, through the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate and brought into the temple to be inspected for four days. As the lambs entered the gate, people would wave palms on both sides, saying…’Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Lilley continued, “Now, on the same day this ritual happened, Jesus, who is from Bethlehem, returned to Jerusalem through the Mount of Olives, entering through the Eastern Gate as people stood on both sides waving palms, saying, ‘[Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord].’ Then, He went to the temple, where he was questioned for four days and was found to be blameless.”
Lilley promised more videos sharing the story of Easter to come as we approach the holiday.
Movieguide® previously reported on her feelings about Easter:
Jen Lilley said watching the Passion play is an important part of her Easter celebration. It reminds her of “how great the Father’s heart for us is that before the foundation of the world was laid He already knew Jesus would die for us to redeem us.”
“I am so incredibly undone when I think of the kindness and mercy of God,” she continued. “The yielding and servant’s heart of Jesus. And the power and grace and mighty counsel of the Holy Spirit.”
Lilley often talks about the importance of her faith, telling the “Jesus Calling” podcast, “I think anytime you are choosing to center your day around Jesus, you’re gonna get through life easier.”
“You’re going to get through life with the fruit of the spirit, and you’re going to get through life in a way where God really is the author and finisher of your faith,” she continued. “It doesn’t mean hard times won’t happen, for sure, but it does mean that you will bear fruit out of hard times and that’s the difference.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
