As the Season of Lent comes to a close, we turn to Mark 11:1-11 (NKJV):
1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 “And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” 4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?” 6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!”
11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Holy Week officially begins. The quiet time that we have spent in spiritual reflection is now interrupted with noise coming from the crowds. We hear voices crying, “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
Depending on what particular study Bible you have, this event is more popularly labeled as “The Triumphal Entry.” We celebrate it as Palm Sunday, even though according to Mark’s gospel, there is no mention of palm branches. The description says “leafy branches.” The type of branches seems irrelevant. The focus here is on the act of worship.
So, why is this entry considered triumphal?
Some people might wonder why this is called The Triumphal Entry. Considering the crucifixion of Jesus that takes place later, it is more of a triumph turned tragedy. The people cry out “Hosanna,” which means, “Save us,” or “Save now.” The act of saving would most certainly be expected, that is, if Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ of God. And we believe that He is.
But still, one has to have some appreciation for the dramatization done by Mark’s gospel. Mark is a short gospel and does not offer a lengthy dissertation. The story shifts in Mark 10, with Jesus healing Blind Bartimaeus as he is approaching Jerusalem. The people who believe in Jesus are there to greet Him, offering shouts of praise, and some probably expecting Him to claim His rule as the Messiah.
We know the gospel’s story. Jesus does not claim any throne. He gets arrested. Jesus does not gain any high recognition or respect. He gets mocked and ridiculed. As I just referred to the dramatization of Mark’s story, the Hosanna cries quickly turn to cries of mourning. Faith most surely turns to doubt, as the One who appears to be the Savior is unable to save Himself.
Mark’s gospel gives a good account of the mockery that is said. Mark 15.27-32 reads:
27 Two criminals were crucified with him, their crosses on either side of his. 29 And the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You can destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, can you? 30 Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”
31 The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the two criminals who were being crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.
When one examines the whole story that occurs from triumphal entry to crucifixion, it may be difficult for some people to see the triumph of the occasion. On the other hand, it seems more of a failure on the people’s part to understand the true person Jesus was and what His mission was—what He came to do.
They were not seeing Jesus through the window of Isaiah 53.3-12:
3 He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! 5 But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! 6 All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.
7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins—that he was suffering their punishment? 9 He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.
10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s plan will prosper in his hands. 11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. 12 I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.
We turn back to the question, why is this considered Triumphal? On the surface, it appears to be one of the great tragedies of all time. If there had been the technology for newspapers, the headlines might have read:
RELIGIOUS RADICAL, PUBLIC MENACE,
EXECUTED BY THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.
Still, as one gains an understanding of what, or rather whom, Jesus came to save–then his entry was triumphal. We understand better that Jesus did not come into the world to become a political leader to liberate his people. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. [Luke 19.10] Jesus came to save sinners. Jesus came to save all of the human race, past, present, and future, from death and destruction. Furthermore, we understand being saved as being allowed to live life with Jesus after we die.
What has occurred then through the triumphal entry is the announcement of the greatest form of salvation. Had Jesus been a political ruler like King David, the people might have been content for a time under his rule. But what happens when the king dies? Another king comes to rule. In the history of the Old Testament, there were good kings and even more wicked kings. The people during Jesus’ time were living under the rule of wicked kings. Why would the world need another earthly king?
But now the problem is solved. It no longer matters who the king reigning on the earth is. There is now an appointed king who will rule for all of eternity. This King who comes—comes in triumph—triumphal entry.
What does this mean for us today? Today, we have a wonderful privilege, to offer worship to the One who has saved us. Today, we have the option to cry out “Hosanna,” and from the very moment we utter our cry, the Savior hears us. Did you ever think how easy it is to be saved? I am not talking about how easy it is to live the Christian life because living the Christian life is not easy. But being saved is easy. Being saved is as easy as saying to Jesus Christ, “Hosanna—save me, Lord!”
Of course, what is equally important is that your cry comes from the depths of your heart. It is like falling into a rapidly moving stream and being carried down the river. You realize that unless something miraculously happens, you are sure to drown. And then, as you grab hold of your senses, you know there is only one thing to do. You cry out as loud as you can, “Help…someone, save me!” Usually, those people standing safely on the side of the bank are not arguing amongst themselves, “Well, what do you think? Is that an earnest cry for help?” Maybe I am expecting too much here with my illustration.
In some places in this country, the reaction might be:
“I just don’t want to get involved!”
“If I go rescue that person crying for help—my luck they would hit their head on a rock in the process and then sue me for all I am worth.”
Then there are those people who say,
“What? I can’t hear you! Do you need help?”
“Too late; I guess they did not need my help.”
Still believing there is some goodness left in humanity, most will attempt to rescue a person who is drowning. With the same kind of reaction, Jesus is quick to rescue us.
Romans 10.13:
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Considering the invitation, is there anyone who is drowning? Is there anyone who needs saving? It is our purpose to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ, to seek and to save the lost. We give an invitation to those who are seeking salvation, as well as those who are seeking a family of faith.
Sermon: “Hosanna” | April 16, 2000, at FCC Paradise, California and April 5, 2009, FCC Winfield, KS
