Hosanna! Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a time of reflection, repentance, and ultimately, celebration.
In the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we find the narrative of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, while crowds of people laid palm branches and clothes before Him, shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9). This momentous occasion fulfilled the prophecy spoken by Zechariah centuries earlier: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter 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” (Zechariah 9:9).
To reflect on Palm Sunday and prepare our hearts for Holy Week, let us reflect on this passage of Scripture.
Mark 11:1-11
“Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples;
2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it.
3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”
4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.
5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”
6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go.
7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.
8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!”
11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
As we look at this passage of Scripture, we see a few things…
Humble Obedience
Jesus’ choice of transportation, a humble donkey, was deliberate. It symbolized humility, peace, and servanthood. Despite being the King of kings, Jesus didn’t come in on a warhorse or chariot, but in meekness and gentleness. Jesus shows that He came to earth not to be served, but to serve – as the Messiah – the One who came to bring peace and reconcile sinners to Himself through His death and resurrection.
Jesus demonstrates the epitome of humility, especially when considering who He is as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Philippians 2:6-8:
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Expectant Faith
The crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem were filled with expectant faith. They recognized Him as the long-awaited Messiah, the One who would bring salvation and deliverance. Their cries of “Hosanna” echoed with anticipation and hope. As we commemorate Palm Sunday, let us have that same expectant faith. No matter what challenges we face, we can trust in His power to save and redeem.
The Journey to the Cross
Have you ever wondered what was going through Jesus’ mind during His triumphal entry?
Jesus knew that just a week later, He would endure extreme pain – lashes on his back, a crown of thorns – as well as death on a cross.
Isaiah 52:14 says:
“As many were astonished at you–his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind…”
Yet, Jesus willingly walked the path to Calvary out of love for humanity – out of love for you and for me. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate expression of God’s love and the means of our salvation.
As we journey through Holy Week, let’s not forget the significance of the cross and the immense sacrifice Jesus made for each of us.
This Palm Sunday, allow God’s Word to resonate deeply within your heart. May we embody humility, embrace expectant faith, praise Jesus as our sovereign King, and never forget the journey to the cross.
In doing so, we honor the true meaning of Palm Sunday and prepare our hearts to celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Easter Sunday.
