07-24 The Song of Hosanna

Matthew 21:6-11

Key Verse: “The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Matthew 21:9)

Reflection Questions:

• How did the people in Jerusalem welcome Jesus?

• What were they hoping He would do for them?

• What kind of song are you singing about Jesus today?

When the disciples brought the donkey and its colt to Jesus, they placed their cloaks on the colt, and Jesus sat on it (Mark 11:7). This was a young donkey, one that had never been ridden or carried a burden. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, He was welcomed like a king. People from many regions had returned to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, and many of them knew about Jesus. In reverence and celebration, the crowds laid their cloaks and palm branches on the road—a traditional gesture of honoring a king (see 2 Kings 9:13).

It was a moment of great excitement and celebration. The crowd shouted with joy: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (v. 9). The word “Hosanna” means “save us now.” The people were quoting Psalm 118:25–26, expressing their longing for a Savior. They hoped Jesus was the promised Redeemer—but not to save their souls. They were expecting Him to deliver them from Roman oppression.

The crowd's enthusiasm stirred the entire city. When Jesus entered, people were asking, “Who is this?” and others responded, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” (vv. 10–11). But when the emotions died down, their praise changed. No longer was He the Son of David or the Mighty Deliverer. To them, He was now just another prophet.

The people had hailed Him as the Messiah, the Son of David, the Deliverer. But they wanted a Savior on their own terms. They exalted Jesus, but only cared about physical salvation, not spiritual transformation. Today, many of us still come to church, sing songs, and praise Jesus—hoping He will rescue us from life’s problems. But like the crowd back then, if things don’t go our way, we may turn to complaints and doubt.

God once said to His chosen people:“These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is based merely on human rules they have been taught.” (Isaiah 29:13)

The Lord desires more than outward praise. He wants hearts that seek to know Him deeply and worship Him sincerely—not hearts that simply want Him to fulfill personal desires. Let us pursue God’s Word diligently, so our worship will be rooted in truth, gratitude, and reverence.

Do you truly worship Jesus with all your heart—recognizing His grace and power?

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming and giving Yourself on the cross to redeem me. Help me to always praise and honor You as my Savior, with all my heart and in every part of my life.

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