Hosanna

Mark 11:1-11 is the record of Jesus coming to Jerusalem as King. It says, “As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany.., Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you doing this?” say, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly”. They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway…When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 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' Jesus entered Jerusalem...(NIV)

Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem had been prophesied by Zechariah, where it is written, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zech.9:9 NIV)

What is Hosanna? The word hosanna (Latin osanna, Greek ώσαννά, hōsanná) is from Hebrew הושיעה־נא, הושיעה נא hôšâ‘-nā',which is short for hôšî‘â-nā' from Aramaic ושע נא meaning “save, rescue” (possibly “saviour”). It is used six times in the New Testament and once in the Old Testament. In Strong's it is number 5614 (Greek concordance)..

The New Testament ones are in Matthew 21.9, Matthew 21.15, Mark 11.9, Mark 11.10 as above and John 12.13 These are all the accounts of the same event as in Mark chapter 11. The Old Testament reference comes from Psalm 118.25 “Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!”

Let us go back to the situation now. When Jesus enters into Jerusalem, the Israelites acknowledged him as their king as per their custom, as we read, “many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and spread them in the way” And also we read “they cried Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the Highest”.

The word “Hosanna” was an exclamation of adoration and, literally translated, means ‘Save now!' They strongly believed their Jesus would save them and would restore his father David's throne by eliminating Roman rule in Israel.

But, how did Jesus respond to this call of Hosanna from the Israelites? And how did Jesus react to their reception and acknowledgment as King of Israel?

It can be assumed that if it had not been Jesus on horseback, but a normal human being then, he would have been tempted, have been excited and rebelled against the Romans. But our Saviour knew his mission very well that saving Israelites was not the will of God at that time. He could have delivered all the Israelites from the Romans like his forefather David. But Jesus was not tempted or excited about the Israelites' acknowledgment of him as a king of Israel. Instead, he obeyed the will of our Lord God and allowed himself to be put on the cross so that Adam and his entire race might have an opportunity to be restored in his coming kingdom, in due time.

This is the lesson we can learn from our saviour's behaviour. As his disciples, we also need to put ourselves under God's will, before all the worldly things, such as pride and power.

God's will.Jesus tells us that, “whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35) Paul says in relation to slaves to “Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.” (Eph.6.6) John tells us in 1 John 2.17 that “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives for ever.” Peter says “that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Pet.4.2 KJV)

Since Hosanna means “Save” 1 Thess.5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 10:36 “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised”.

1 Peter 2:15 “For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”

Although the cry ‘Hosanna' was not answered at the time of Jesus' first advent, God has not forgotten the groaning of the human family. In Haggai 2.7-9, God says “I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Almighty. “The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the Almighty. “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” says the Lord Almighty. “And in this place I will grant peace,” declares the Lord Almighty.”

The Lord God saved the whole of humanity through his son in his first advent by his sacrifice. Even Jesus prayed to our Lord God to save him. We can read in Hebrews 5.7 (NIV) “During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission”. We are all saved by this mercy as “he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3.5 NIV).

We will be saved…Romans 5.9 (NIV) “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!”

Even during the end of time… we will also be saved “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth”. (Revelation 3:10)

In conclusion the word Hosanna teaches one thing. Let us not be tempted by the world but put ourselves under the will of our Lord God Jehovah like our Saviour Jesus did, when they shouted Hosanna. Let's believe we are all saved by our Lord God Jehovah though Jesus Christ, and also will be saved … at the end of days.