Save Us, Son Of David!

"Today's Devotion" For April 8, 2006

Read: Matthew 21:6-11; Psalm 118

SAVE US, SON OF DAVID!

"'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'" (Matthew 21:9)

Today's devotion is going to be a little more "instructive" than usual. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of the Christian observance of Holy Week, culminating in Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday and in full anticipation of the celebration of His Easter resurrection next Sunday. As I read Matthew's account of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, which is the traditional Christian focus for Palm Sunday, I felt something tugging at my brain concerning the word, "Hosanna." It's been a Christian tradition to understand "hosanna," which is not translated into English, as an expression of praise. There's no doubt that in English it has come to have such a meaning, but "hosanna" is a Hebrew word with a much deeper meaning.

It seems that the Hebrew word, "hosanna," is an English form of the Hebrew "hosha' na," which expresses a "request for salvation." So, if translated accordingly, we might render the text as "Save us, Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Save us in the highest!" Here we have an acknowledgment of Israel's hope in the Christ as well as a song of praise for the Messiah sent from heaven. As at the birth of Jesus, when the choir of angels came to the shepherds proclaiming the Lord's coming and singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth"(Lk.2:14), so the people acknowledged Jesus' purpose and their hope in Him as He rode into Jerusalem.

How fitting the "hosannas" are as Jesus is about to go to the Cross to save His people from their sins. The very thing that Jesus is about to do is proclaimed by the people as He enters Jerusalem. The events of Holy Week, right around the corner, will fulfill God's promises of salvation made since the Fall in Eden. The humble and meek Jesus, the Christ, the King of the Jews, the Son of David, promised for long ages has come to the city of God, Jerusalem to accomplish salvation for all Creation. The prophets are about to be fulfilled - "Hosanna," "Save us," is the appropriate response of a people longing for and hoping in God's mercy.

Jesus comes "In the name of the Lord." He comes as the Father's gift to this world. He is the promised Messiah, the Savior from Sin, death and Satan. He is the One and only Son of the Father, fully obedient to Him as we could not be. His purpose was to bear the burden of and punishment for the sins of all humanity. "Save us, Son of David" is the appropriate cry of prayer and praise from all people everywhere, as they acknowledge their sins and know their need for a Savior. And, filled with God's forgiveness and love in Christ, we who believe are called to the same humble life and service as our Savior Jesus Christ showed us in obedience to the Father. As the lost and dying cry out "save us!" we share His love, proclaim His forgiveness, and share His mercy and grace so they, as we, might be certain of eternal life and filled with God's peace forever. "Hosanna! Save us!" is our cry as we live in Him each day.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You were determined to be obedient to Your Father and mine. You knew You had to go to Jerusalem, be arrested, falsely tried and accused, beaten and scourged, blasphemed and cursed. You did all this for me, becoming the obedient Son of the Father I could never be, so that I could be redeemed and forgiven. In my heart and life, with my voice and actions, I, too, cry out "Hosanna, save me, Son of David." By Your grace I know Your salvation and have the sure and certain hope of a forgiven sinner - the promise of eternity with You in heaven. Help me to touch the lives of others, especially those who don't yet believe in You, so they too may learn to cry, "Hosanna, save us, Son of David!" Hear my prayer, precious Savior. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.