Lesson Text: John 12:12-19
Golden Text
The next day, a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel!” John 12:12-13 NKJV
Pause and Consider
Before we celebrate Easter, we recognize this event on “Palm Sunday.” It is the first day of Holy Week, and it commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
His time has come.
Now was the time, and here was the place: The culmination of His three-year ministry and triumphant entry to announce the Messiah and King.
This is a significant moment in Jesus’ life. All four Gospels mention it (Matt 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-19).
Shortly before His arrest and after Lazarus rose from the dead, Jesus comes out of hiding and enters Jerusalem.
Here, Jesus rode into the city on a donkey; the crowds welcomed Him with palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna!” They were welcoming Him as their Messiah and King.
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. Zechariah 9:9 NKJV.
What Do We See?
John tells us what he sees and gives us a good reason for the crowd’s excitement: people were testifying that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, and “for this reason the people also met Him.” Lazarus might even have been with Him – walking evidence of the Resurrection and the Life.
Hosanna is a Hebrew word meaning “Save now” or “Save us,” and it appears in Psalm 118. These Passover pilgrims hear that Jesus is coming and take words from Psalm 118:
“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!”
They were looking to Jesus to deliver them from Roman oppression; He came bringing much more than that: He conquered sin and death!
We see, here, on the streets of Jerusalem, the Savior of the world – the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world.
Hosanna!
Even the disciples were clueless until Christ rose from the dead. It was the Risen Savior who opened their eyes to see and their ears to hear.
His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. John 12:16 NKJV.
So, what did the disciples realize that only the risen Savior could teach them about this triumphal entry?
I remember now that Peter had witnessed all of this. Peter, like the other disciples, now understood the value of that day. We can almost hear Peter tell us in his own way why we should all sing Hosanna. We’ve received a precious faith and gained life and godliness – escaping the corruption of this world.
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:1-4 NKJV
Hosanna!
We could focus this moment on the crowds, the disciples, and even that, in the shadows, the escalating hatred and animosity toward Jesus would move a crowd to say, “Crucify Him!”
Not today. No, not today; His time has come, and it’s time for us to celebrate. Today let’s just rejoice with those who rejoice and sing with those who sing.
Hosanna! Loud Hosanna!
by Jeanette Threlfall (1821-1881)
Hosanna, loud hosanna the little children sang;
Through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.
From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd,
the victory palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait.
"Hosanna in the highest!" That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven, our King.
O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice,
And in his blissful presence, eternally rejoice.
Take Away
There’s much we can take away from these mere eight verses. Where they were clueless, we are not. Our victory is in the Victor. We no longer need to feel death’s ugly chokehold or the curse of sin. He is the Resurrection and Life!
Our time is coming, the right time, when we will see Him face-to-face. May we see the victorious Savior welcome us gladly toward His eternal love!
Praise the Lord. We don’t have to wait. His time has come, and we see it. His time has come, and we live it. His time has come. Hosanna in the highest!
Call to Action
What does Hosanna mean to you now that you know the significance of the Triumphal Entry?
Stop a moment and say aloud, “ Hosanna! To the King!”
We have reason to rejoice. Our victory is in the Victor.
Are you living the victorious “with God” life today?
Sister Bear, I loved the bonus song, this article is beautiful, we are reminded of the past 3 years of Jesus as He taught His disciples about His purpose to give His very life for sinners such s I. On the back of a colt a cross engraved on its shoulders. I can Only imagine, I feel like holding my breath, knowing this is the last week of His life. No longer hiding from them, now they will examine Him up close, Save Now we cry out!!!
and I know they will cry out Crucify. And this was the sole purpose of His coming. John 3: 16) And I know He didn’t fail me (US).
Hassana Save Now!
Love you more your little Lizzy.