Issue 1,120 – Hosanna – April 3, 2023

Yesterday was Palm Sunday—the date on the church calendar when we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” 

Matthew 2:1-11

There is so much to consider in this passage. We see the humility of Christ riding in on a young donkey. He fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.

From this moment on, Jesus no longer tells his disciples to be quiet about His identity. We know this to be a massive moment from our vantage point in history. In less than a week, he will be betrayed, wrongly accused and convicted, mocked, tortured, crucified, buried and raised from the dead.

The gathered crowds knew none of what was to come. They didn’t realize they would cry out for Jesus’s death in a few short days. At this moment, they were celebrating, crying out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 

The problem with their excitement is that they don’t understand who they are celebrating.

Jesus had come to die in payment for the sins of the world. He has come to bring mercy. He is the promised anointed one of God who will redeem the elect from all time, return in judgment, and take His church home forever.

The crowds were waving palm branches (a sign of Jewish nationalism). Their cry of Hosanna (save us) was directed to their hope that He had come to eliminate the Romans and reestablish Israel as a nation.

They were celebrating the wrong Jesus. It happens today. There are entire groups of churches that worship a mistaken view of Jesus, some denying His divinity or triune nature. Others see Jesus as nothing more than a prophet.

Many see Jesus as a historical figure but only a good man or a moral teacher. Some believe that He didn’t die on the cross. 

They are many thoughts about who Jesus is, but only one truth. Which Jesus are you celebrating this Easter season?

Be Blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

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