Monday, March 29, 2010

Hosanna in His Lowest


By: Mitch Lynn

The phrase “Triumphal Entry” says it all. Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah had predicted—“say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” I used to picture Jesus coming into Jerusalem like Prince Ali in Aladdin, with elephants dancing and monkeys breakdancing to ‘Party in the USA’ by Miley Cyrus. I mean, what isn’t great about the crowd laying down palm branches and even their garments as they shout “Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest”? So why on a day when I should be joyous and celebrating am I feeling sad, and a tad depressed? It is because this was NOT a high point for Jesus. In fact, Luke explains that this is one of the lowest points in Jesus’ life: ‘as He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it’. Take away the music, the elephants, and the pop-locking monkeys, and what do you have? Picture a Jewish carpenter sitting on a donkey, His worn feet dragging on dirt and rocks, weeping over an unrepentant city. As this man enters the city people are celebrating something, but not Him. ‘When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, Who is this? The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee’. 3 years of ministry and not even his disciples understood (John 12:16). Jesus entered the city distressed and upset. Those who screamed “Hosanna, hosanna!” cried out , “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”five days later. The disciples that followed Him 3 long years will soon betray Him. The ones that claim to have loved Him will deny they ever knew Him. As the crowd shouted “Hosanna in the highest,” I can imagine Jesus sitting on that smelly donkey, weeping over the sin of humanity.

So as we wave our palm branches and sing ‘Hosanna Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest’, remember that our sin is the reason He was put on that cross on that Good Friday, and it was our sin that struck the nails, and we are the reason he needed to die.

Father, thank you for your Son. Forgive us, for we know not what we do.
Amen

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