“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna![d]” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[e] “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”[f] 16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.” John 12.12-16
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!”
This was the cry by the multitudes as Jesus entered the holy city of Jerusalem. The cry of thousands ready to receive him as their conquering king. He who had raised the dead, healed the sick, preached in the Temple would now save Israel from their enemies.
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!”
Here he comes! Riding on a donkey, the foal of a donkey. Riding over palm branches to cries of exaltation and excitement — “Blessed is the king of Israel!” Riding into the city where he would claim the throne, free the people from captivity, save the lost from their sins.
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!”
But a week later they would crucify him. In society, one day you too may be praised but the next day persecuted. One day you will be heralded as a hero, the next as a heathen. Which is why the praise of men for Jesus didn’t last. And it’s the same for us — our significance comes not from human lips but by the hand of God.
When we shout — “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!” — we do so to a God who affirms us in return, loves us, and takes away our sins.
Will you call on the name of the Lord today? Cry out to a God who experienced the fame but chose the cross. In a world where 80 percent of religious believers are Christians (according to Jim Denison), take heart in Jesus who has overcome the world!
“O Lord God, I have cried — “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!” I have declared your glory and received your love in return. My flesh wants worldly fame, material rewards and earthly pleasures. But you are enduring and eternal. Your love is a well-spring of life welling up in me. Come now, Holy Spirit, help me praise you with my lips and honor you with my heart. Help me find significance in you just as you found significance in your Father. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen