Palm Sunday

“When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!””
{‭‭Mark‬ ‭11:7-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬}
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The word hosanna originates from a Jewish phrase meaning “Save, please!” and is used in Psalm 118:25 “Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!” ‭‭{ESV‬‬}. This word can depict both the desperation and need for a savior, and also the joy of knowing a Savior has come.
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On that day 2000 years ago the people cried “Hosanna!” as Jesus rode into town. They cried hosanna because they were desperate for someone to save them from the oppression they faced and from the consequences of their sins and turning from God, but they also cried hosanna because they had faith that this man was their Savior. They praised Him because they trusted God’s words through the prophets that He would send someone to save them from their sins, and they trusted that He was who He said He was.
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Today we cry hosanna because this world is still full of sin and it’s consequences. We long for the time when we will be with Jesus, in His presence, forever. We also cry hosanna because we rejoice in the fact that He has come and He has saved us, so we have a hope of that future with Him.
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{HPZ 3.27.2021}