Sing Hosanna to Our Savior King – March 29, 2021

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Mark 11:9,10

Sing Hosanna to Our Savior King

The crowds in Jerusalem that gathered for the Passover festival were riding a spiritual high. They were singing hosanna, waving palm branches, and acclaiming Jesus as their King and the promised Messiah. But by Monday, they were already starting to slip. By Tuesday, they weren’t so sure anymore about this Jesus fellow. And by Friday morning, many were screaming for his blood. Their Sunday “hosannas” were so quickly forgotten.

“Hosanna” is a Hebrew word which evolved in meaning and usage over time. Originally, hosanna was a kind of prayer, something like “Please save us!” But by the time of Jesus, it was mostly used as a joyful acclamation, like saying, “All hail!” So when the crowd shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” many were caught up in the moment of splendor and nationalistic pride, trying to recapture the glory days of King David.

Hosanna was, in fact, the word that should have been on their lips—not in boastful pride, but rather as a fervent plea by sinners who know they have no way to rescue themselves.

Like the crowd in Jerusalem, we so easily forget what we need Jesus for. It is essential that we understand this if our hosanna is going to last longer than a day. We must understand that the reason Jesus came was because of our sin. He didn’t come just to be worshiped and praised, but we praise, worship, and serve him because he came to die. Humbly laying down his innocent life to pay for our guilt, Jesus opened up heaven to all who repent and believe. When we keep all this in mind, our hosannas will ring truer and remain on our lips longer.

Prayer:
Blessed are you, Jesus, who came in the name of the Lord to save us! Amen.