Ps. 118:19-29

1 Tim. 4:6-16 Lk. 19:29-40

Verse for meditation: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

When Jesus made his triumphal entry into the Holy city of Jerusalem, the people were shouting ‘save us now’. The word Hosanna means save us now. They spread out cloths and branches of trees on the way. Messiah is to save them. In other words, they were proclaiming that Jesus is Messiah and king. In the Hebrew language the word Hosanna is extended as “Hoshi Asna” which means ‘save us now’. In 2 Samuel 14:4 and 2 Kings 6:26 we find some ladies coming to king David and Jehoram asking for help. The same phrase is used here also. Hosanna is not a praise acclamation to Jesus rather it is a lamentation of the people of God to lead them away from bondage to freedom – the reason is the expected Messiah has come! This is a quotation from Ps. 118: 25, 26. This Psalm is recited by the Jews during the feast of booths. On all the seven days of the feast as the people at the rampart hold the tender palm leaves towards the altar and shout in joy the trumpet is sounded. Many things could be understood from this incident in which the people shouted Hosanna around Jesus (Matt. 21:9, 15; Mk. 11:9; Jn. 12:13).

i. This was usual greeting method in the temple when the pilgrims came to attend festivals, ‘blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, we bless you from the temple of the Lord’ (Ps. 118:26).

ii. “He who comes in the name of the Lord” indicates a usage to the Messiah. Here it is very clear that the people have identified and accepted Jesus as the Messiah. The Jews were not expecting a loving king. But they were looking for a victorious king who will redeem them from the hands of their enemies.

iii. The donkey was considered as a humble animal in the oriental countries. Jair of Gilead (the judge for Israel for about 22 years) had 30 sons, who could ride on the donkey. Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth was traveling on a donkey (2 Sam. 16:1), Ahithophel, the able minister (2 Sam. 15:12, 16:23), who advised David and Absalom has travelled on the ass (2 Sam. 17:23). Prince Mephibosheth, the son of Saul came to King David on a donkey (2 Sam. 19:26). A king travels on a horse for war and on an ass for a peace treaty. Here Jesus Christ is coming to Jerusalem as the ‘Prince of peace’.

1. ‘Hosanna’: Fulfillment of prophecy (Zec. 9:1-12).

The prophetic book of Zechariah talks about a Messiah who comes ‘upon a donkey’ (Zech. 9:9-12). Biblical scholars see this as a prophetic utterance. This incident is understood as important, because it has been reported by all the four evangelists (four fold attestation Matt. 21:1-17; Mk. 11:1-10; Lk. 19:29-26; Jn. 12:12-19). We are reminded to think of some important matters from these incidents of the Palm Sunday.

2. The Temple entry of Jesus (Lk. 19:29-40)

Psalm 24 is a song the Jewish people sang as they enter into the temple. The heads of the ancient doors should be lifted up for the King of Glory to enter. Jehovah is the King of glory. This triumphal entry depicts that Jesus is the Messiah. The cross of Christ has brought men who have gone astray from God closer to Him. Thus, Christ has become our peace (Eph. 2:13,14). He has broken the wall of separation. Today, Christ has given freedom for men to enter into the presence of God. Thus, Christ has become the peace with God (Rom. 5:1). As said earlier, the call ‘Hosanna’ or ‘save now’ is being heard from men even today. This is a prayer to God who saves us from sin, evil powers and disease – curse and finally from the eternal death. Those who have realized the way of salvation which God has prepared must be examples of living truth to which the palm leaves and the tree branches are symbolic. Let us thank God who hears this cry for salvation and gives salvation for us (Acts 4:12). We should experience the power of salvation that is received by faith in Christ every day. Because every day we pray ‘Hosanna’, ‘save now’.  Oh king of peace, come!

3.  Cleansing the Body which is the Temple of God   (1 Tim. 4:6-16) 

In the New Testament both the people and the church are explained as the temple of God. Man is the temple in which God dwells. Therefore, Jesus should enter into our lives as king of peace (Is. 9:6; Heb. 7:2). Just as Jesus has cleansed the temple, our bodies which is his temple, that is our lives need to be cleansed (1 Cor. 3:16; Rom. 12:1, 2). Today, should be a day in which we pray save us from all bondages of evil, powers of darkness, all selfishness and dedicate us, praying ‘save now – Hosanna’. Let him enter into our families to become ‘our king of the family’. May the king of glory enter, let the ancient doors be opened (Ps. 24:7-10).