Palm Sunday
Read Matthew 21:1-11
Chapter 21 begins with Christ entering Jerusalem. As the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 said, he came in on the foal of a donkey. But what I want to focus on is what comes a little later… what the crowd was shouting: "Hosanna!" Have you ever considered the meaning of the term "Hosanna?" This word is also used in Mark and John's accounts of this story, and it can be summed up like this, "Hooray! Salvation is here!" Our English word for Hosanna is derived from the Hebrew word ho-si-ah, which means "help, save, receive or accept help, be victorious." We see this very clearly in Psalm 118:25-26 (go read it). The people were proclaiming "Jesus is here to save us, our King has arrived, He is coming to set us free!" Jesus was the one they had been waiting for…for centuries… and now, finally, He had arrived!
Similarly, our hearts, and all of creation (Romans 8:19-23), have been waiting to be set free from the bondage of sin. Our Savior has arrived! Just as the prophecies said He would, so we'd know He was the right one! Though to be fair most of the people thought Jesus was coming to be a political or military leader, which is why later in the week they would yell, "crucify Him!" But thankfully we know the whole story and we know He has come to take away our sin and restore the relationship between God and man that was lost at the fall. He has come!
The triumphal entry of Christ brings joy to my heart. Does this story excite you? How does your understanding of Jesus relate to those excitedly shouting, "Our savior has arrived?" Think about your answers. Then spend some time in prayer asking God to give you a deeper appreciation, love, and excitement for our Savior and what He did for us.
Chapter 21 begins with Christ entering Jerusalem. As the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 said, he came in on the foal of a donkey. But what I want to focus on is what comes a little later… what the crowd was shouting: "Hosanna!" Have you ever considered the meaning of the term "Hosanna?" This word is also used in Mark and John's accounts of this story, and it can be summed up like this, "Hooray! Salvation is here!" Our English word for Hosanna is derived from the Hebrew word ho-si-ah, which means "help, save, receive or accept help, be victorious." We see this very clearly in Psalm 118:25-26 (go read it). The people were proclaiming "Jesus is here to save us, our King has arrived, He is coming to set us free!" Jesus was the one they had been waiting for…for centuries… and now, finally, He had arrived!
Similarly, our hearts, and all of creation (Romans 8:19-23), have been waiting to be set free from the bondage of sin. Our Savior has arrived! Just as the prophecies said He would, so we'd know He was the right one! Though to be fair most of the people thought Jesus was coming to be a political or military leader, which is why later in the week they would yell, "crucify Him!" But thankfully we know the whole story and we know He has come to take away our sin and restore the relationship between God and man that was lost at the fall. He has come!
The triumphal entry of Christ brings joy to my heart. Does this story excite you? How does your understanding of Jesus relate to those excitedly shouting, "Our savior has arrived?" Think about your answers. Then spend some time in prayer asking God to give you a deeper appreciation, love, and excitement for our Savior and what He did for us.
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