Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Hosanna: Jesus' entry into Jerusalem - Alternative Style of Kingship
St. Matthew 21:1–17This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’
St. Matthew 21:4–5
The selected passage for today’s devotion describes the triumphal entry of Jesus unto Jerusalem on the day we now commemorate as Palm Sunday. These verses point us towards the true Messiah King, the Redeemer of this world, who is the fulfillment of the prophecy as found in Zechariah 9.
Thousands of years ago when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, many failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah because they might have imagined their Messiah entering into Jerusalem in a majestic chariot as a victorious warrior wielding authority and strength. Others might have envisioned the Messiah riding in an elegant coach as an influential politician accompanied with opulent displays of wealth and power.
In contrast to the ways of the world, Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey, the animal of the poor. Jesus chose to demonstrate His power through humility and claimed His kingship not with displays of political power but through humble submission. Jesus, in His humility, reveals to us who God is: a God who becomes poor for our sake, who does not impose His rule with the arms of war or violence but through peace, meekness, and selfless sacrifice.
With Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, He is recognized by some and is rejected by others. There are those who when they shout “Hosanna,” which means “save now,” are genuinely seeking with great hope the redemption and deliverance that only God can bring. They cast their garments on the ground and lay down palm branches, recognizing that Jesus is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Others reject Jesus; although they too cry out “Hosanna,” this is done merely as a political a slogan, beseeching Jesus to save them from the oppressive power of the Roman Empire.
Just like the many people who rejected Jesus, all of us can be tempted to create a Jesus that we would like, rather than recognizing who Jesus truly is. We have to remember that Christ came to this world to give us what we truly needed – the gift of salvation, deliverance from sin, and the hope of eternal life. Let us acknowledge the saving power of God as revealed in Jesus, who humbled Himself and gave His life for the sake of the world. Let us humbly and obediently journey with Jesus with greater devotion, with earnest commitment, and with a profound sense of hope.
Thousands of years ago when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, many failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah because they might have imagined their Messiah entering into Jerusalem in a majestic chariot as a victorious warrior wielding authority and strength. Others might have envisioned the Messiah riding in an elegant coach as an influential politician accompanied with opulent displays of wealth and power.
In contrast to the ways of the world, Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey, the animal of the poor. Jesus chose to demonstrate His power through humility and claimed His kingship not with displays of political power but through humble submission. Jesus, in His humility, reveals to us who God is: a God who becomes poor for our sake, who does not impose His rule with the arms of war or violence but through peace, meekness, and selfless sacrifice.
With Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, He is recognized by some and is rejected by others. There are those who when they shout “Hosanna,” which means “save now,” are genuinely seeking with great hope the redemption and deliverance that only God can bring. They cast their garments on the ground and lay down palm branches, recognizing that Jesus is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Others reject Jesus; although they too cry out “Hosanna,” this is done merely as a political a slogan, beseeching Jesus to save them from the oppressive power of the Roman Empire.
Just like the many people who rejected Jesus, all of us can be tempted to create a Jesus that we would like, rather than recognizing who Jesus truly is. We have to remember that Christ came to this world to give us what we truly needed – the gift of salvation, deliverance from sin, and the hope of eternal life. Let us acknowledge the saving power of God as revealed in Jesus, who humbled Himself and gave His life for the sake of the world. Let us humbly and obediently journey with Jesus with greater devotion, with earnest commitment, and with a profound sense of hope.
Prayer
We praise You, O Lord, for You are our humble servant King. Lord, we lift up Your name with hearts full of praise. We thank You for redeeming us through the sacrificial offering of Your life on the cross. As we journey with You from Jerusalem’s gates on Palm Sunday to Golgotha’s cross and ultimately to the empty tomb to witness Your triumph, we pray that You would be exalted, O Lord, our God. Hosanna in the highest! Amen
Thought for the Day:
For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. (St. Mark 10:45
Thought for the Day:
For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. (St. Mark 10:45
Rev. Christopher Phil Daniel
Diocesan Program Manager and Vicar of Jerusalem MTC, Connecticut
Diocesan Program Manager and Vicar of Jerusalem MTC, Connecticut