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.”

Matthew 21:10-11

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

John 12:13

When was the last time you had a big family gathering or an unusual special event?  Often, the “getting ready” is so much more than the “putting on”.  We understand that this was the Sunday immediately prior to the resurrection of Jesus . . . Palm Sunday before Easter.  I’m sure no one new what the following seven days would hold.  But they did know Jesus was gaining recognition and notoriety.

John wrote that the “next day the large crowd heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. “So, they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” (John 12:13)

Popularity

Matthew noted that “the whole city was stirred”.  John added, “the crowd that had been with him when he alled Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness.  The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.” (John 12:17-18). Jesus fed thousands with leftovers.  He healed those who had no hope.  He restored sight and hearing to the blind and deaf.  He recognized the grief of two sisters and raised their only brother from the dead.  Jesus was seen.  Jesus was celebrated.  Jesus was followed.  And, in just over a weeks time, an empty tomb would be celebrated.  A risen Savior would be recognized.  And, many would follow.  His popularity had another purpose.

Preparation

Six days before Jesus’ last Passover celebration with his disciples, He stopped by the village of Bethany and attended a dinner at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha.  While sitting for dinner, Mary took a container of of perfume “and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair.  The house was filled with the fragrance of perfume.” (John 12:3) The next day, Jesus rode into Bethany and was greeted with palms branches and celebration.  Mary’s anointing was a recognition of his kingship and a readiness for his upcoming burial.  New birth almost always includes labor.  We prepare.  We work.  We labor.  We strive . . . knowing that salvation is around the corner.  Peter reminds us, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18). The rejoicing of Jesus’ arrival began the readiness for his mission and the resurrection from his tomb.  His preparation was for another purpose.

Promise

Matthew recorded that Jesus sent two disciples with the instruction, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her.  Untie them and bring them to me.”  He continued, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a best of burden.’” (Matthew 21:4-5). An assignment to find a donkey was an acknowledgement of fulfilled prophecy.  What was promised was fulfilled.  As the crowd placed palm branches, they also shouted “Hosanna”.  Hossana is an expression of praise.  And, it was a declaration of Jesus as King, the Prince of Peace who is the who completes our faith and secures our hope.  The writer of Hebrews challenged us, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2). The coming Messiah . . . prophesies fulfilled . . . hope realized . . . promises kept.  His promises completed His purpose.

Peter Wilson and Stuart Garrard wrote the following lyrics;

I see the King of Glory

Coming on the clouds with fire

The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes, yeah

I see His love and mercyWashing over all our sin

The people sing, the people sing

I see a generation

Rising up to take their place

With selfless faith, with selfless faith

I see a near revival

Stirring as we pray and seek

We’re on our knees, we’re on our knees

Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like You have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks Yours

Everything I am for Your kingdom’s cause

As I walk from earth into eternity

Hosanna, Hosanna

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna, Hosanna

Hosanna in the highest

Next Sunday’s coming . . .