Fulfilling Empty Hosannas

Matthew 21:6-11

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.

Hosanna is a Hebrew expression meaning “Save!”

As Jesus gently and quietly entered into a city that would host the event of humankind – an event that would eternally change the relationship between heaven and earth, between God and man, people shouted “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” or “Save! Save!”

Those welcoming Jesus into the city, shouted “Save!” in the context of earthly, political, temporary sufferings. “Save us from our government! Save us from our social and financial status.”

Empty hosannas resonated in Jerusalem as Jesus gently and fearfully rode into Holy Week. “Save!” was repeated and shouted from the tongues of those who had no idea the true salvation Jesus would bring to them. Their hosannas were empty because they did not anticipate nor comprehend who Jesus was and how Jesus was going to “save” them. They were looking for earthly saving. For temporary saving. For relief of their position and circumstance in society.  

Jesus cares for our personal needs and for our circumstances. But Jesus did not ride into Jerusalem as a prophet, a moral groundbreaker, nor a political leader. Jesus rode in as the Lamb of God, as the ultimate sacrifice that would saves us from eternal despair. He reconciled our relationship with God by interceding on our behalf. He tore the curtain apart – the separation between God and man is no longer. He saved so much more. Jesus fills our empty hosannas with eternal and complete salvation.

Jesus graciously takes our fears, our needs, our sins, and through the blood on the cross, He redeems sinners into His saints. He fulfilled his position as Lamb of God, our Savior, the ultimate sacrifice, which then completes the reality of our salvation and reconciliation with God.

May God save us. May God take our prayers, our hosannas, our human needs and fulfill them so that He may be glorified. May He supply strength, equipment, and medicine to those who are ill, and may the Gospel be heard and accepted so the world can  abandon empty hosannas, and rather freely live under His true salvation. May He take our empty hosannas and transform them into salvation. Amen.