The crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! (from Matthew 21:8-10, Mark 11:1-10, John 12:12-19)
We don’t “bless” our palms, so they are generally discarded, and that’s it for Palm Sunday until next year!
We move on. To Holy Week and Good Friday, and Resurrection!
So long, hosanna!
But this year I've been thinking long thoughts about “Hosanna” thanks to a rather astonishing and thought provoking song by Andrew Peterson, (which I will link below.)
I’m realizing that “Hosanna” isn’t simply an Easter specific “cheer” for Jesus – like Praise the Lord, or Hallelujah.
It’s not even really a word for kids, at least, not primarily for kids.
It’s a word for all of us honest enough to admit that life is really a mess sometimes…
or most of the time, and if we know anything, we know that we are in over our heads, and we’re not going to make it without some help.
That’s what most of us need most days in one form or another.
We need saved, helped, delivered, defended.
We need a Savior.
And when do we need all of this?
Oh, God help us,
we need it,
we need You NOW,
which is the general understanding of the second Hebrew word, (naw), a participle of incitement and entreaty which might be translated – “I pray, now," or "please, now!”
Yes.This.Is.what.I.need.
Hosanna. My life doesn’t look at all like I thought it would at this stage. Hosanna.
Hosanna. She is trying to be all her kids need, but she never planned to be a single parent. Hosanna.
Hosanna. The US just bombed a country for killing children, but we won’t take their refugees. Hosanna.
Hosanna. The abuse continues, and no one is listening to the truth. Hosanna.
Hosanna. That family received the broken body of their brave, peace-making son this weekend. Hosanna.
Hosanna. A sweet girl is on the run, (oh, Jesus, hundreds of sweet young girls) and the future looks terrifying and grim for every one of them. Hosanna.
Hosanna. It looks like their marriage is heading for a train wreck. Hosanna.
Everywhere I look- my world,- the whole world- is knee deep in need of Hosanna.
Hosanna (God save, deliver, help, defend us, now, please!)
is a strong word for the hardest, toughest situations we will ever face.
It is a dynamic word for the oppressed and down trodden,
a loud word for those who have no voice,
a priceless word for every one of us who has made a costly mess of life,
a hopeful word for the ones who have given up.
Hosanna is a desperate, pleading word expressing the great need of all of us.
It's Palm Sunday, and the word for the day is HOSANNA!