Hosanna, the Savior of the World!

John 12:12-19

Due to the festival of the Passover, the great crowd was in Jerusalem (12). They took palm branches and went out to meet Jesus. Palms were used as symbols of welcome for Jewish heroes returning from battle [1]. They Shouted Hosanna!” which means “Save!” or “Save us now!” They welcomed Him as the king of Israel.

The expression “Hosanna” was used in Psalm 118:25. But before this verse, Psalm 118:22 says “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” The shouting crowd might not know

• The kingship of Jesus was not political.
• Jesus would be rejected, crucified and resurrected.

Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it (14). This was fulfilment of Zechariah 9:9. And it shows ‘humility’ in the perspective of His kingship [1].

His disciples did not understand all this until He was resurrected after the crucifixion (16).

Even though Jesus had not come to be a political leader, the Pharisees could only see their political helplessness in the face of His popularity [1] (19).

I see difference & greatness in His kingship. He gives hope to outcasts in the society, to whom most people would be indifferent. He teaches the virtue of ‘humility’. He sympathizes for our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15).  Hosanna, the Savior of the World!

References

[1] Borchert, G. L. (2002). John 12–21 (Vol. 25B, pp. 41–42). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

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