“They took palm branches and went out to meet him,
shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
John 12:13
The triumphal entry of Jesus the Christ into Jerusalem was a day of celebration, a day of joy and hope … but it preceded so many other events.
Hosanna preceded Jesus prediction of his coming death. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say?” (John 12:27).
Hosanna preceded Jesus announcement that one would betray him … sharing in the bread itself. “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” (John 13:21).
Hosanna preceded Peter vowing to lay his life down for Jesus, and Jesus declaration that before the light of day, he would deny him not once, but three times. “Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (John 13:38).
Hosanna preceded his arrest, trial, torture, crucifixion and death.
Today, in Egypt, over fifty have been killed, over one hundred have been killed, in two attacks.
“The blasts appear to have been timed for maximum impact, as people gathered to mark Palm Sunday. It is one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar, marking the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.” (BBC)
The people, the Christ-followers, arose to sing hosanna.
Hosanna preceded the trouble.
Before fulfilling his passion for us, Jesus reminded us of the reality of life, of a life of following him:
“In this world you will have trouble.” John 16:33
Hosanna precedes the trouble. But the trouble precedes the glory.
On the day of his triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem, Jesus foretold his own fate, but also the fate of those who would follow him:
“Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
(John 12:23-28)
May God be with those in our world who are suffering troubles. May they, once again, sing Hosanna.
itsawonderfilledlife 