Hosanna!!

Triumph of Christ

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21:9

Reading  Matthew 21:1-10 Luke 19:28-40

Jesus sent his disciples to bring a donkey with her colt and untie them and bring them to him. Was Jesus tired and wanted to ride a donkey? No, he wanted to show to the people the nature of his Kingdom. It was showing to the people that he had finally declared himself to be a king. He was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Parading into Jerusalem on a donkey displayed his meekness; he was not declaring himself the King of the world, but of a much larger and greater kingdom. It portrayed him as the King of peace as opposed to a king of war riding on a horse. Much of Jesus life was lived as fulfillment of various prophesies that were foretold over the past centuries.

Triumphal entry into Jerusalem, fresco in the Parish Church Zirl, Austria

Cutting down branches from the palm trees and waving it was symbolic of triumph and victory. The people came out in hoards to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem. It was an eclectic crowd of people. It was the time of the Passover and many had travelled from different parts of the world to be there for the Passover. The crowds started following suite with the disciples in shouting Hosanna! It was a Hebrew word meaning Save now we beseech thee! or Save I pray!.

The word “Hosanna” was emblematic for a cry for help from the people to the Messiah quoted in Psalm 118:25. It was a cry from the people to save them from Roman rule and oppression. It was their way of accepting Jesus as their King who would restore the throne of David and his descendants back to their rightful place in Jerusalem. It was a prayer empowered by the Holy Spirit with reverence to say blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

When Jesus entered the city it was in broad daylight. The entire city was in in a state of chaos and pandemonium. Some were asking each other, who is this king? Why is he riding on a donkey? The Scribes and Pharisees were appalled with what was happening. They scolded and criticized Jesus. They told him to stop the people from calling him a king. Jesus response was if they should keep quiet the stones would immediately cry out for salvation (Luke 19:39-40). Wonder why they did not attack Jesus with their temple soldiers then? Were they afraid of how the multitudes of enthusiastic followers would react?

The Jews were desperately looking for a Messiah who would free them from the Roman aggression. They were looking forward to the day when they could be an independent nation free of any foreign rulers. They were looking forward to a powerful and glorious earthly king who would be the chosen one of God, anointed to establish a sovereign Jewish Kingdom.

When the wise men from the east came to Herod’s palace looking to worship the king of Jews, were they disappointed to see that Jesus was not born in the palace? Herod was greatly troubled and tried his best to kill baby Jesus, by killing all the babies in Bethlehem. Jesus through out his ministry showed that he was not interested in being a king on earth. After the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:15), the people wanted to force him to be king. After casting out the demons (Mark 1:24) he forbade even the demons from professing that he was the Son of God. After the mount of transfiguration he forbade his three disciples from talking of the experience to anyone.

When we look up at the stars in the sky, our eyes cannot tell us which of the stars are closer to us, and which that are farther away. So it is with the prophecies concerning Jesus. Some were fulfilled in his first coming and the others will be in his second coming. The first was purely a proclamation and invitation for all to hear and be invited to be part of his kingdom. The second coming will be in power and majesty and he will establish his sovereign rule on earth (Matthew 24:30).