Hosanna - What Does It Mean to You?

John 12:12-19
Also-Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44

When police investigate a crime they gather all the witnesses they find and listen to their testimony. The more witnesses, the better chance the police have in piecing together the events of the crime.

Our passage of Scripture in John, is also referenced in each of the other Gospels. By reading all of the accounts you will have a better understanding of the event we know as the "Triumphal Entry of Christ". The story is consistent, but each writer has a different perspective; when viewed together it becomes complete.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead many of the Jews began to believe in Him. They shared the  testimony of what they had witnessed with the Jewish community. It wasn't surprising that a great multitude gathered at the Passover Feast when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.

Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 when He rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of 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." If you have read the accounts in the other Gospels you will see that this prophecy was fulfilled, even to the type of donkey! Interestingly, this is the only time recorded in Jesus' life on earth that He rides on an animal, so this wasn't a common practice that could easily be explained as a coincidence!

The crowds laid down clothing and palm branches along the way, shouting "Hosanna", "Blessed is the kingdom of our father David", "Hosanna to the Son of David", and "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord"! Hosanna means "save now".  The same "save now" that we find in Psalm 118:25, "Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord I pray, send now prosperity." The people had witnessed, or heard the eyewitness accounts of Jesus great miracles - the most recent being a resurrection from the dead. They knew He could provide them with food, heal the sick, lame, blind, cast out demons, and He had power over death. What a great political leader He would have been! What a great King! They compared Him to the great King David who had led the nation to a golden era of prosperity. Yes, Jesus would've been the very best King the world had ever seen - and will be when He returns. But that time, He came with another purpose in His heart... to follow God's will and become the sacrifice for the sins of all.

Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem seared the Pharisee's heart with hate. When they declared, "The world has gone after Him!", they were worried about their positions and the retaliation of the Roman government.

So, we are at the place again where we need to look at our own hearts. Do the acts of Christ stir up anger and hatred in your heart, perhaps because you worry about the effect it would have on what you value most in life - a position, a following, your world view?

Or, are you willing to follow for what you might get out of it? Prosperity, or maybe a miracle? When the first trial comes along, that kind of follower quickly abandons Christ.

Perhaps, you are one who looks at Christ and realizes that your "Hosanna", your cry of , "save now" is for your life to be changed by the sacrifice He made on the cross. That salvation is for eternity.