Preparation

Feast of Passover

The Feast of Passover was the greatest celebration in the Hebrew calendar. It marked the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. As the time of the Passover approached, the crowds moved towards Jerusalem, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement. For some the journey took several days. This Passover was preceded by many great miracles of Jesus, culminating in the miraculous raising of Lazarus (John 11).  There was an added fervor and hope among the Jews who were seeking deliverance from Roman oppression.

Additionally, the first day of the week, the tenth day of the month held special significance in the Passover feast. The tenth day was set aside to select the Passover lamb from the flock (Exodus 12:3). On this tenth day of the month, Jesus, the lamb of God rode into Jerusalem on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Fulfillment of Prophecy

Christ’s entry into Jerusalem was not altogether a surprise. The events leading up to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem were a direct fulfillment of prophecy. Zechariah 9:9 exhorts, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

This prophetic exhortation was realized as Jesus made His way into the city, embodying the humility and salvation foretold. The people knew the prophesy. They sang the Psalms as they ascended the hill of the Lord. They saw the King riding on the donkey. Every word of God was coming to fruition just as He said. Jesus, the lamb of God rode into Jerusalem on a colt, the people rejoiced greatly!

Presentation

The Colt

Jesus’ choice to ride on a colt, on which no one had ever sat, symbolized humility and peace. Unlike a conquering warrior on a stallion, Jesus presented Himself as a humble servant king, fulfilling the prophetic image of Zechariah. But it did more than that. This was a colt on which no one had ever sat. The first riders of such a colt would not have stayed on very long. They would have been thrown off. But this colt was immediately tamed by Christ and carried Him to Jerusalem.

No one can change the sinners heart but Christ alone.  What the world cannot do with each man’s desperate need, Christ came into the world to do and He did it, by dying on the cross for the sins of many.

The Crowd

The crowd that welcomed Jesus consisted of those who went before Him and those who followed. This throng of people expressed their adoration and reverence in several ways:

Palm branches: They laid palm branches before Him, which were symbols of victory and peace. Kings would receive such honor. Let not the dust of the ground come up and touch the king’s feet!

Clothes: They spread their garments on the road, an act of homage and submission.

Shouting: They cried out, some going before preparing the way and calling for more people. Some going behind, rejoicing in the one they are with.

The Center

At the center of this tremendous crowd, Jesus! Christ is the center both literally and figuratively in this procession. His presence amongst the people signified His role as the focal point of their hopes and faith, embodying the promise of salvation and the fulfillment of God’s plan. Salvation was riding into Jerusalem that Sunday morning. All the promises of God were yes and Amen in the person of Christ that all the multitude gathered around. For many their hopes were too carnal. They wanted deliverance from Rome. For some, their hopes were much higher. They wanted deliverance from sin. There in the midst of them Christ came.

Christ is in the middle of his people today. Literally in heaven His throne is at the center of the heavenly sanctuary. The angels, the elders, the multitudes are all around Him. They all face towards Him. He is at the center of His people. Is Christ the center of your life? Have you received Him by faith, confessed your sins to Him, and cried out, “Hosanna”?

Proclamation

Hosanna! Salvifically

The term “Hosanna” is derived from Psalm 118:25-26, which states, “Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The crowd’s cries of “Hosanna” were both pleas for salvation and expressions of adoration.

Every man woman and child should join in this happy cry. We are but sinners, wretches, and worms. We look for help but are like blind Bartimaeus, we cannot see. How beggarly we are and in need of mercy? And mercy has come. Jesus is mercy Himself. Oh that God’s people would cry out once more, “Hosanna! Hosanna!” Will the Savior of sinners not save those who cry out to Him?

Hosanna! Historically

Historically, “Hosanna” reflects the everlasting kingdom of David. The people’s proclamation was a recognition of Jesus as the promised Messiah, who would restore and reign over David’s everlasting kingdom. So the people cry, “Blessed is the Kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!

All the Old Testament promises of the covenant of Grace came to their fulfillment in Christ Jesus. As Jesus rides into Jerusalem, it is the Davidic promises that are noteworthy. “Behold, your King is coming to you.”

Jesus is the King of Kings. Not everyone honors Him as He is today. Some mock, most rebel, few bow the knee. What about you? Cry out to the King for grace. “Hosanna!”

Hosanna! Majestically

The majestic cries of “Hosanna” were filled with glory, praise, honor, and majesty. Just as the angels sang at Jesus’ birth, “Glory to God in the highest,” the people now sang as He prepared to fulfill all prophecy through His impending death. It is a glorious acclamation. The one who receives it is able to save. The one who receives this acclamation is able to deliver. Hosanna than takes on the meaning of glory. “Glory! Glory! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

That sinners need a paschal lamb is a given. That the Messiah, the Christ, is our only hope, is our confession. That the paschal lamb has come once and for all for the sins of His children, is altogether glorious and without comparison. The lamb has come. He was chosen before the foundation of the world. John the Baptist saw Him as He was. 2,000 years ago as He entered Jerusalem, the people saw the Savior of the nations come and cried out, “Hosanna!” “Glory!”

Prohibition

Luke’s Gospel

Always there are those who despise the great salvation of God. In Luke’s Gospel, as Jesus traveled on the road to Jerusalem the Pharisees wanted the multitudes rebuked for crying out as they did. Jesus told the Pharisees that if the people were silent, the stones would cry out. The proclamation of the people was essential. It was the only proper proclamation. “Hosanna! Save now, I pray O God.” If the people made in the image of God should stop crying out, than the inanimate creation, made by the same God, would cry out. Surely the rocks know their creator. Do you know your Creator? Cry out to Him, “Hosanna!”

Matthew’s Gospel

Neither the praise nor the anger stopped along the road. Matthew’s Gospel recounts the Lord going to the temple where He would once again cleanse it of the merchants and money changers. There in the temple, many children had followed him. The children lifted high the refrain from the road, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” What a joyful noise from the lips of children. But the chief priests and scribes were indignant. Blasphemy! This is horrible. Do you hear what they are saying?

Jesus will never deny Himself. The children are rightly declaring His name. For He is both Lord and God. So Jesus reminds these men of Psalm 8:2, “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength.” The purity of the children’s praise emphasized the truth of who Jesus was and what He came to do.

Should children be allowed in the worship of God? Should they be brought near to Christ? Should they sing His praise? Surely the lips of the little ones have shut the mouths of many enemies. Surely the lips of little ones are singing praise to the Lamb in Heaven even as you read. Let all the children who read God’s word cry out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

Will you cry out?

Everyone is challenged to reflect on their own response to Jesus. Will you join in the proclamation, or will you remain silent? Will you cry out, “Hosanna!” or will you be indignant? The cry of “Hosanna” is not just historical but also very personal. Here is peace to the one at war with God. Here is redemption for the sinking sinner. Here is salvation to the lost. Here is life to the dead. Jesus Christ. “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

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