‘The most important week in salvation history’
“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Matthew 21:9)
Think of a time when you were part of a crowd which was shouting exuberantly. From being part of a crowd, you likely know what “crowd mentality” is. A person in a crowd can easily get caught up in things and might be led to say or do something which they might not have done on their own.
In today’s verse, Matthew and the other Gospel writers explain that a crowd had gathered on the streets to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while the people showed their respect and welcomed him by laying their outer cloaks and branches from palm trees on the road. One word was continually shouted from the crowd, Hosanna, the Hebrew word which requests “save us.”
A long held Christian tradition is that the same people who were shouting “Hosanna” on Palm Sunday were part of another crowd five days later shouting “crucify him” in the courtyard of Pilate’s palace. Christians have struggled with is how someone could be part of those two different crowds and their shouts. Again, if you’ve ever been part of a crowd, you understand how people might be led to shout contrasting thoughts.
Whether that tradition is true or not, they all needed to shout “Hosanna” whether they realized it or not. Every one of them was a sinner who needed Jesus as their Savior.
Whether they were going along with the crowd or longingly crying “Hosanna” as they recognized Jesus as the long-promised Messiah, they needed him as their Savior.
As we begin Holy Week, are you shouting “Hosanna?” Do you see your need for the Savior who came to bring you forgiveness of all your sins and guarantee you a place in heaven? Just like the first Palm Sunday, 2000 years later, we still need to shout, “save us.” We must throw ourselves on him and fully rely on him for our spiritual help.
Today is the beginning of “the most important week in salvation history,” as we review all that Jesus did to fulfill the request of all who shout “Hosanna.” We too can join those who shouted “Hosanna” on that first Palm Sunday as we welcome our Savior.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, please accept my humble pleas of “Hosanna” as we begin this Holy Week. Thank you for willingly and humbly coming into this world to live a perfect life and then die an innocent death to be my Savior. I can never thank you enough, but please know that I am eternally grateful for your work as my Savior. Amen.