Timeless Truths: When Hosanna Rings Empty

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Mark 11:1-11

Background:

• Zachariah prophesied about the Triumphal Entry. (Zachariah 9:9)
• Just prior to this event, near Jericho, Bartimaeus calls out to Christ and has his eyesight restored. (Mark 10:46-52)
• Many Hebrews were looking for a delivering Messiah. However, political deliverance from Roman tyranny was not God’s priority.
• John is the only Gospel writer to mention palm branches by name.
• Many churches do not display palm branches in the sanctuary on Palm Sunday because the waving of palm branches has become a symbol of human misunderstanding of God’s plan.
• What happened that day is what we now call “mob psychology.” What most of the people did was not under their direct control.
• So, the absence of palm branches is no guarantee that we grasp who Jesus really is today.
• While the people were excited by the event, the excitement described masks their misunderstanding.

What does it mean to have Jesus as King?

Three times prior to this, the disciples had misunderstood Christ’s predictions of His death. Each Gospel presents one or more. (Examples: Matt 20:17-19; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:22-27; John 12:23-24)

The people at the first Palm Sunday allowed their expectations to overshadow what was really taking place.

The people had come to Jerusalem to celebrate God’s work in the past—Passover. They hope in Jesus but do not understand His mission.

As people in the world, we need to do everything we can to assist with improving the world. Governments can’t make a difference.

• We must be filled with His presence and allow Him to transform others through us.
• Only the power of God can transform our hopelessness, brokenness, and emptiness.

In Mark 1, Jesus invites the people to repentance.

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14-15

In Mark 15, we read the statement that veil of the Temple was torn just before Jesus dies.

This means that through Jesus we have free and unrestricted access to God.

And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Mark 15:38 [NASB]

 

I like this version of the tearing of the veil because it portrays Christ's sacrifice as the cause of the event.

Aside: The top of the veil was about sixty feet above the floor. It is significant that the veil was torn top to bottom. It reveals that it was the hand of God that did the tearing. Human hands would have started at the bottom of the veil and torn from the bottom up. This act signifies that God, Himself invites us into His presence. End of Aside.

The torn veil symbolizes our hope to live in His presence day-by-day.

Maybe Palm Sunday should be a day of theological reflection as we consider how we must be changed.

Hosanna means “Save now!”

Through Christ, we can know the real meaning of Hosanna!

We need to shout, “Hosanna!” with an understanding of what Christ is doing on our behalf.

Next week: Christ Is Risen Indeed!

Special thanks to Dr. Robert Smith of Point Loma Nazarene University's School of Theology and Christian Ministry for the primary teachings used in this post. This is a link to his staff web page.

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