Will you triumph at His entry?
People are gathering, many holding palm branches and shouting “Hosanna! Praise God! God Bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the King of Israel.” (John 12:12 – NIV)
Can you picture yourself at the scene? Close your eyes for just a minute and listen.
Hosanna!
Is your heart pumping with excitement to see the Messiah that has been foretold in Old Testament scriptures?
Hosanna!
Perhaps you’ve seen or heard about the miracles that are being performed. Now here he is entering the city on a donkey.
Hosanna!
You’re on your tiptoes trying to see over the tall man in front of you.
Hosanna!
Finally you can see him clearly… it’s Jesus!
Hosanna! Praise God!
The people who were shouting “Hosanna!” at Christ’s triumphal entry understood what the word Hosanna acutally meant. The word is from the Hebrew word ‘Hoshiah Na’, and according to the King James Dictionary means ‘save Now! or ‘save, I pray!’ The people knew Jesus was the promised Messiah.
Come back to the scene with me for just a moment. Listen to the crowd.
Hosanna!
Is this amazing or what??? There is so much excitement. Don’t wander too far away, just stay there for a few more seconds. Look around. Many leaders were there as well and believed in Jesus. Did they have palm leaves in their hands? Sadly the answer is no. Their fear of being kicked out of the synagogue by the Pharisees kept them from acknowledging who Jesus really was…the One they had been waiting for all along. Instead of choosing Jesus that day, these people chose the praise of people over the praise from God (John 12:43).
Okay, we can come back to present day. Just a few questions to consider before I finish up. Do you find it hard to believe that Jesus is who he says he is?
Hosanna!
If you believe in Jesus and have given him your life you can trust him with every area of your life. What would happen if Jesus were to ride into your town today?
Hosanna! Praise God!
What would you do? Would you be singing Hosanna and waving a palm branch or would you stand and not say anything because you’re too afraid of what your neighbors might say?
The Bible says “one day every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2: 10 – 11).” Why not let today be that day for you to be strong and courageous instead of being afraid and shackled by doubt. Just like Jesus entered Jerusalem, let him enter your heart in a brand new way.
Hosanna! Praise God! Don’t be afraid.
Leaving his perfect heaven, Jesus humbly came to earth in the form of a baby.
Jesus loves.
He grew up and walked among us to give us an example of how to live and love like him.
Jesus heals.
Then, the week before he canceled the debt for the sin of all mankind, he entered the city of Jerusalem not with pomp and circumstance, but on the colt of a donkey; humbly, and with peace.
Jesus frees.
This verse clearly tells me that if the Lord is included in the process, my efforts will not be in vein.