Years before, this was the means the people used to greet Judah Maccabee when he liberated the city. The reaction of the crowd was the hailing of Christ as Liberator.
D. Hosanna. Pilgrims today follow Christ's route from Bethany to Jerusalem. As Christ's climactic moment arrived, He and His entourage mounted the crest of the Mount of Olives where suddenly the vista of the Holy City bursts into panoramic view.
The Jewish historian Josephus wrote of what he looked upon: "The outward face of the Temple in its front wanted nothing that was likely to surprise either men's minds or their eyes; for it was covered all over with plates of gold of great weight, and, at the first rising of the sun, reflect back a very fiery splendor, and made those who forced themselves to look upon it to turn away their eyes, just as they would have done at the sun's own rays."
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The exuberant and impetuous crowd of common people on the Mount of Olives shouted, "Hosanna," meaning "Let even the angels in the highest heights of heaven cry unto God, save now!" (
Matt. 21:9).
In that shouting crowd were persons who owed Him gratitude for their restored sight, straight limbs, clear sane reasoning, and healed bodies; even one named Lazarus, his life restored from the grave. We, like them, are indebted to Jesus. Well might we be to join them in praise of Him.
IV. The Popularity of His Coming
Jesus descended from the Mount of Olives into the Kedron Valley and started His approach through the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem. It would be there that He would later encounter the hostile crowd intent on appeasing the Romans shouting "Crucify Him!"
With which crowd do you identify? I don't mean which in your more spiritual moments do you profess to identify with. In reality with which crowd does your lifestyle more closely identify. Consider the various reactions and mark yours. Some:
A. Wanted to use Him. The Zealots wanted Him to be their military liberator.
B. Wanted to ignore Him. The Romans felt superior to this lowly Nazarene whom they sought to ignore.
C Wanted to obey Him. The owner of the donkey eagerly wanted to obey.
D. Wanted to worship Him. They knew He had resurrected Lazarus (
John 12:17-18).
The eventful morning of His entry into Jerusalem was a Sunday. On this day will you allow Him to enter your heart in triumph? He comes in only by special invitation.
The crowd reaction of that day is not so different from the various responses of today. John Mark in his gospel makes an interesting observation regarding Christ's immediate followers: "Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid..." (
Mk. 10:32).
When Jesus goes before you there is no need to be afraid.
They were not intimidated by their fear, they followed. Courage isn't not having any fear. It is doing what you know is right in spite of your fear.
Is fear in any form holding you back in your response to Christ? If so, show faith in Him and express courage by reacting with the crowd that shouted "Hosanna."
Following Christ involves courage, heroism, enthusiasm, power, glory, and peace. Palm Sunday is a living out of Christianity.
