Wednesday 7th August
Read John 12:12-13
“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
‘Hosanna!’
‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’
‘Blessed is the king of Israel!’” (NIVUK)
The crowds draw on the last of the Hallel psalms, the psalms that are sung daily in the temple as pilgrims gather for the festivals. ‘Hosanna’ is quite literally ‘give salvation now’ and had become an acclamation of praise – much as it is used today. Read the section from the end of the Hallel psalms below and hear the crowd’s voice and hope. Over time what had been a simple blessing upon those who come in the name of the Lord to the temple to receive blessing had changed to a hope that One would come in the name of the Lord and bring the longed-for salvation. A royal figure from David’s line as is made clear in the last line of their song.
“Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures for ever.” (Psalm 118:25-29)(NIVUK)
We know their hope was not in vain and their Lord had come to save them, but not in the way they expected.
