HOSANNA!


Imagine with me the scene that took place on the first Palm Sunday in
Jerusalem nearly 2000 years ago. During the Passover, 250 thousand lambs
will be slain by the priests as worshippers attempt to make atonement for
their sins. The city itself is bursting at the seams with pilgrims who have
come to celebrate the Jewish holidays. Thousands of celebrants are lined up
on both sides of the winding Jericho road that leads into the city with palm
branches in their hands. Why? Because Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, slain
from the foundation of the world, is coming into Jerusalem. Jesus is about
to become the sin substitute for all men of all ages throughout all of time
as He dies for the sins of the world. Listen to what the people are saying:
"Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!" What
does "Hosanna" mean? It means, "Save us now."


A Triumphal Entry

The Jewish people wanted their messiah to marshall an army and lead them out
from under the tyranny of the Roman Empire. But Jesus said, "My kingdom is
not of this world. It is within you." There will be a day when Jesus Christ
will come back to establish His kingdom on this earth. He will make His
enemies His footstool and we will rule and reign with Him.


However, the King of Kings came riding on a donkey on that first Palm Sunday
into Jerusalem to establish a spiritual kingdom. By dying on Calvary He
defeated the devil and redeemed humankind. Paul the apostle declared that
the Kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Till Christ comes back to rule and reign on this earth, we will experience
persecution by this sinful world, and we will be attacked on every side by
Satan. But when we acknowledge the lordship and kingship of Jesus Christ
over our lives, we are assured of the ultimate victory. Thanks be to God who
causes us always to triumph over the enemy through Jesus Christ. We are more
than conquerors. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.