EmmDev 2025-09-19 [Moments with Mark] Desperate Hope

Desperate Hope

When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, He sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest!" (Mark11:7-10)

I've been thinking about the crowd's amazing response to Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem and the word "Hosanna!"

If one looks at how "Hosanna" is used in many hymns and worship songs, one is left with the impression that it is a word that one sings out in praise and adoration - like "Hallelujah!" or "Glory!"

But this word is used in a very different way in the Old Testament...

• It's a cry for help and deliverance of cities under attack from an enemy. (Joshua 10:6)
• It's the cry of a widow to the king when she's lost one son and is about to lose another. (2Sam 14:4)
• It's the cry of a widow to the king when a siege of Jerusalem forces them into cannibalism (2Ki 6:26)

Then we have a number of Psalms (here's just a few of them...):

• "Hosanna us, LORD! There is not a good person left;
  honest people can no longer be found." (Psa 12:1)
• "Hosanna your people and bless your inheritance;
  be their shepherd and carry them forever." (Psa 28:9)
• "Turn to me and have mercy on me;
  grant your strength to your servant
  and Hosanna the son of your maidservant." (Psa 86:16)
• "Hosanna us by your might; answer our prayer,
  so that the people you love may be rescued." (Psa 60:5)

The other clue we must notice is the crowd's identification of Jesus as the "Son of David." This reveals a Messianic expectation. The crowd is longing for God's deliverance and rescue through the Messiah. They hoped that Jesus was the Saviour-Messiah. In the case of the very first Palm Sunday, the crowds thought of a political Saviour-Messiah who would conquer the Romans and free Israel. But He came to do so much more! We know He conquered sin, death, and Satan. And so He can help us.

Yes, Hosanna is a cry from a heart in desperate need, but it has also become an expression of praise because we know that God can save and that He did and does save...

In these turbulent times where politicians and opinion-mongers cause chaos and heartache, we long for political resolutions - but it starts with us. We (you and me) need rescuing and then we can begin to transform society.

Hosanna! And Glory Hallelujah!

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