Hosanna in the Highest

"Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' ¹⁰ Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

Mark 11:9-10

The scene described in Mark 11 took place when Jesus rode in triumph into Jerusalem on a donkey.  People laid down their clothes and palm branches before Him as before royalty, and even the children shouted, "Hosanna!"  Not being a Hebrew speaker, I needed to look up the word for the definition.  The Strong's Concordance explains the meaning like this:  "oh save!; an exclamation of adoration."  Jesus was worthy of such adoration and praise, for He is the Saviour God promised who would save people from their sins.

The Jews which cried out the words of Psalm 118:25-26 were an occupied and oppressed people by Roman rule.  How they longed for the promised Messiah to deliver them from their enemies and restore the kingdom of David to its former glory.  It is fitting Jesus would humbly ride into Jerusalem in fulfilment of scripture in Zechariah 9:9, and not as a Roman general on a chariot pulled by white horses.  The cross of Calvary loomed before our meek Saviour, and He would save not only the Jews but provide salvation for all who repent and believe through His sacrifice.  The people shouted, "Oh save!" and they had no idea how great a salvation Jesus would accomplish through His death and resurrection.  Jesus would do much more than establish an earthly throne which perishes, but by His shed blood would establish an eternal kingdom of which there will be no end.

How glorious is our Saviour, a One also to be greatly adored.  We reserve the word "adorable" to attend the cute and cuddly, but Jesus deserves our adoration and appreciation.  The beauty of Christ transcends anything we can admire with the eyes or desire in our hearts.  His power to save is greater than all the armies of the world; the praise of which He is worthy is greater than all men and the angelic hosts shouting in unison.  We say "Hosanna" to urge God to save and to adore Him at the same time, a wonderful picture of how He is worthy and able to meet our every need.  I need salvation as much now as ever before, and the more I read about Jesus and spend time with Him my love for Him grows too.  No matter how much I love Him, His love for me is infinitely greater and constant.

As fitting as it was for Jesus to be praised when He rode into Jerusalem, so it is right for all to exalt Him today.  Throughout the day "Hosanna" by Carl Tuttle has been singing in my heart:  won't you sing along?

Hosanna, hosanna,

hosanna in the highest

Hosanna, hosanna,

hosanna in the highest

Lord we lift up Your name

With a heart full of praise

Be exalted, oh Lord my God

Hosanna in the highest

Glory, glory,

glory to the King of kings

Glory, glory,

glory to the King of kings

Lord we lift up Your name

With a heart full of praise

Be exalted, oh Lord my God

Glory to the King of kings