Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Hosanna: Christ the Eternal King
Mark 11:1-11
 
V 9-10 “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

“Hopeless life is meaningless”. Hope of something or someone guides us in our life. In despair, hope becomes our energy to move forward. In Joy, hope becomes the reason for our smile. If we lose the same hope, everything seems as if desolate.
The people of Jerusalem were hoping for a Savior for a very long time. Here, Jesus is coming as Messiah, the eternal king. The Jews were eagerly waiting for the coming of the Messiah, based on the prophecy given through the prophets. People hoped for a standing strong kingdom in the Davidic succession that could bring them to a peaceful and free living. Hope of the same became the striving force of these people. They found the liberation of their land and people from the imperial suppression through the liberator they found in Jesus. Their hope was more of a political one, a transient one. They expected the Davidic Kingdom with all its glory to be reestablished and they shouted in the hope saying, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord”, quoting it from Psalm 118:25.
Here in the Bible portion, we see people proclaiming “Hosanna” to the Lord. Hosanna comes from a Hebrew term “Hoshia-na”, which means, “save us now” or “I pray to save”.
Hosanna here is a cry from the destitute. Hosanna here is political pleading. The journey of the people along with Jesus shouting Hoshia-na is as similar to a political journey. But Jesus’ attitude was not simply hand in hand with these hopes of temporal power, movement or Kingdom. Use of a colt and the promise of returning it to the owner after its purpose (v3), points to this anti-imperial stand of Jesus.
Jesus proclaims the journey as the establishment of His kingdom through the passion on the cross. The journey proclaims Him as the liberator of generations. He defines Himself as the King of Glory, that which is eternal and not temporary. Hosanna thus turns from a political call to a salvific call. Lord, Our King save us from the bondage and lead us to the life everlasting with You. But that call demands a journey to the cross and from cross to the world in living the message of the Cross. The triumphal entry to Jerusalem was Jesus’ fight against the forces of sin, in redeeming the people forever. Jesus proclaimed a Kingdom of meekness and liberation, His kingdom establishment was not for temporal cause, rather for redeeming all to life and salvation - that which is eternal. People failed to understand the purpose of Jesus and His kingdom, their demand was for something immediate than looking forward to what is eternal. They claimed the Messiah to be a political king, rather than finding him as the eternal King, who gives them freedom from all bondages. They invested their will upon Jesus and thus failed to understand his mission. They wished to earn Kingdom with might, failing to see His will to build His Kingdom through sacrificing His life.  And that’s why they cried to crucify Him with the same mouth they used to cry Hosanna. Are we still like them, looking and hoping for something temporary than Eternal?

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help us to see Your will and not ours. Lead us through Your path rather than inviting You to ours. Help us to find Your glory. May we not limit You to our thoughts and understanding.  In Jesus name we pray. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“The world forces us to see minimal, But God’s vision is far wider that leads to Eternal. He is the Eternal King.”
 
Rev. Shibin Sisumani Kulakkada
Bethel Mar Thoma Church, Kunnathukal
Kerala, India

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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