By: Juliet Constantine

“The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!” (John 12:12-13 NKJV)
 

Five days before the Passover, Jesus was crowned King of the Jews. On that day, a great number of people who had attended the pre-Passover supper, in Jesus’ honor and who had heard about or saw his anointing administered by Mary (Lazarus’ sister), had decided in their minds that He was the Messiah – the long awaited Jewish King. Now, since He was already anointed King (all kings are anointed before the proclamation is made), the great multitude laid Palm branches and some laid their clothes which formed the carpet on which He rode His donkey. They then proclaimed Jesus King of Israel! They shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

So long they had desired relief from Roman occupation and oppression. Now, the time had finally arrived-- so they thought. They all rejoiced and seemed to accept Jesus as the Messiah. They strongly believed that He would bring about the change they desired. But they missed the subtle signs that He was not for war but for peace. They saw it, but didn’t know the meaning it held. Their King rode a donkey – not a horse. A king riding on a donkey suggests peace, but kings at war rode on horses. Nevertheless, the multitudes praises for their Savior were real. “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

As the jubilation continues, the multitude envisioned that their King would begin His work of freedom and liberation for which they longed. It was coming soon, so they rejoiced, not realizing that the freedom and liberation planned wasn’t from Roman occupation but from the power of sin. I wonder, had they known what would transpire, would they still crown and hail Jesus as their King? Had they known that their King would bow in death on one of their biggest holidays, would they own Him then as King? Would the praises still flow? Would they still shout “Hosanna!”? I think not.

It’s seems like we are created to confront, complain, and murmur. Instead of praising Him in the good times and the bad, we praise only in good times and complain in the bad times. We play when things are good and pray when times are hard. We limit ourselves by looking only ‘as far as the eye can see’. If we allow ourselves to see farther, I know our responses would’ve been different. Short sighted vision will rob us of continual praise, and constant shouts of Hosanna.

As the Christian world celebrates this period of Lent, may it be a time of somber reflection on what our King has accomplished for us. He made it possible for us to live above sin. We can shout ‘Hosanna’ we are redeemed. Let us crown Him Lord of all, and Lord of our lives. Our King reigns and lives within us. Hosanna!

Our Father in Heaven, holy is Your name. “Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity” both physical and spiritual. Please break every chain that binds us and give us the victory. May we shout like David, and the great multitude, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)