“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
John 12:13
On Sunday, the first day of the week in which he was crucified, Jesus left Bethany to go to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Many who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover had heard Jesus was coming, and they went out to meet him.
Someone in the crowd began to chant a familiar verse from Psalm 118: “O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.” Others joined in, shouting “Hosanna!” as they waved palm branches (see Psalm 118:25-27).
The word “Hosanna” literally means “Save us.” The same word is used in 2 Kings 6:26, where we read of a woman who cried out to the king of Israel during a terrible famine. Starving from hunger, she cried, “Help me, my lord the king!”
“Hosanna!” is a cry for help to Jesus as Lord. Perhaps you have also cried out to the Lord if you have faced a terrible crisis, a temptation that was too strong, an addiction you couldn’t beat, a sickness that wouldn’t get better, or a world that had lost its moral compass.
On Palm Sunday morning, the confidence of the crowd was well placed. No one can deliver hope and salvation better than Jesus, the only Savior.
To those who cry “Hosanna!” Jesus offers everlasting help, strength, and new life.
Father, we need you so much. We cry “Hosanna” to you. We know that you are the One who can help us, that you are our hiding place and our strength. In Jesus, Amen.
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