Palm Sunday

Save!
 
Matthew 21:7-9 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
 
IMAGINE if you lived under great oppression in Jerusalem during Jesus’ time. Watch out! The local Jewish government rulers could have you arrested! Be on guard, the vicious Roman authorities under Pontius Pilate could crucify you. And be cautious as you speak to the Pharisees. They don’t like challenges. It matters not what is right. Just obey the authorities, and you’ll live in peace…maybe.
    Yes, the people of Jesus’ day were another of many generations who had lived under severe political and religious oppression. With fervent hope they longed for the promised Messiah who would proclaim freedom for the captives (Isaiah 61:2). The LORD had spoken through the prophets. When would the Messiah arrive? Fear of heavy laws and abusive leaders marked their lives. In a manner similar to Israel in Egypt, the first century Jews longed for freedom from oppression.
    That’s why they cried, “Hosanna!” meaning “Save!” “Save! Save! Save us, Jesus of Nazareth!” Could it be on this day freedom would come? On this first day of the week to mark the beginning of Passover week, they called out to Jesus, the miracle-working, powerful teacher from Nazareth, to proclaim the Word’s Promise, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.” (Psalms 118:26) “Yes,” they could have called, “save us, Jesus of Nazareth – you who raise men from the dead!” Oh how they hoped he was the Savior. It is time for the Lord’s favor.
    We know the truth, don’t we? Jesus is, indeed, Savior. Blessed, indeed, is he, the One who has come to save. Do you praise and proclaim his coming into your life?
 
Stop to Do: Declare to Jesus, “Hosanna!” and rejoice in the sure hope of his resurrection.