Title: Hosanna in the highest!

Scripture Reading: Mark 11:9-10
“Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Main idea: Jesus presents himself in public as king.

“Hosanna” The Cheers of the Crowd
Hosanna is a Hebrew word that originally meant “Save us!” which later became an exclamation of praise. Perhaps the people meant “Save, we pray, from our Roman oppressors!” The crowd was chanting words from Psalm 118:25-26. Those in front and those behind Jesus exclaimed, “Hosanna.” They thinking that Jesus has come to save them from their political enemies. These crowd were “pilgrims” on their way to celebrate Passover, the very festival that reminded every Jew of the deliverance of their ancestors from Egyptian bondage. At such an occasion the thought, “How long will it be before we ourselves are delivered from foreign oppression?” occupied everybody’s mind.

“Blessed”
Blessed draws from Numbers 6:24-27 which says, “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”  “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD”
A clear recognition that Jesus was the promised Messiah. “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” is an accurate quotation of Psalm 118:26, one of the Hallel Psalms which were used liturgically at the feasts of Tabernacles and Passover. The blessing on “He who comes in the name of the Lord” was a customary greeting, but also has a deeper significance: Jesus comes in God’s name as his faithful representative, who will perfectly accomplish his will. They thought their liberation from Rome was at hand. While the crowd correctly saw Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophecies, they did not understand where Jesus’ kingship would lead him. The people who were praising God for giving them a king had the wrong idea about Jesus. They expected him to be a national leader who would restore their nation to its former glory; thus, they were deaf to the words of their prophets and blind to Jesus’ real mission. When it became apparent that Jesus was not going to fulfill their hopes, many people would turn against him.

“Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:10).
They thought that the kingdom was about to be set up, with Christ sitting on the throne of David. This praise recognized Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, the heir to the throne of David. Christ was the heir of the throne of David; He was the King. The people’s enthusiasm is genuine, but they do not seem to recognize that the time of fulfillment has already arrived (Mark 1:15), and that the kingdom has come in the person of Jesus himself, the “son of David” (Mark 10:47).

“Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:10)
“Hosanna in the highest” meant “O, You who live in heaven, save us now.” A call to praise the Lord in the highest heavens, and to save from the highest heavens.

Worship the One Who Alone Can Save
The cry from the crowd came from Psalm 118:19–29. In this, their praise and worship was Scriptural. It is important that we praise God as He wants to be praised. So if God says we are to come to Him with words (Hosea 14:2), then that is how we come to worship him. If God says we are to come to Him with song (Psalm 100:2), then that is how we should come to worship him. If God says we are to come to Him with hands lifted up (Psalm 134:2), that is how we come to worship him. The whole point in worship is to do what pleases God.

Application
Like the people on the road to Jerusalem that Palm Sunday, we have much to learn about Jesus’ death and resurrection. We must not let our personal desires catch us up in the celebration and shouting lest we miss the meaning of true discipleship. In our excitement and celebration, we must remember that following Christ involves hardships. It may include persecutions, suffering, and even death. Acts 4:12 says: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.” Christ’s salvation and triumph would be the victory of life over death, salvation over sin, forgiveness over condemnation. The crowd cried out for salvation that day. Have you cried out to Him to save you? He is the only One who can. Our King has come, and our King is coming again, Praise God, what a day it going to be. And what a difference there will be in His first and second advents.

Let’s pray together
Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your Son Jesus Christ. He is the King and Lord of all. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Thank You, that You saved us and we are part of that kingdom. In Jesus Name Amen.