The CROSSroads: Personal Lessons from Mark's Gospel by Rev. Mitch Schultz

Updated
2001-05-26; 14:34:21utc

Lesson Thirty-four: FROM HOSANNA TO HALLELUJAH (Mark 11:1-11)

"Hosanna" (vs.9)

Join me for a few moments on a fictional journey that will help you appreciate the significance of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

The Roman general had lived and trained for this very moment. The cheers of the crowd and the calling out of his name as his golden chariot moved on its way slowly through the crowded street filled his heart with unspeakable pride. Many lining the sides of the street had brought with them palm branches, and these they were waving giving the appearance of a forest of palms being swayed gently by blowing wind. Others risked a dash to the front of the chariot to lay down their coats as a symbol of honor for their latest Roman hero.

While these expressions of honor burst around every bend the general permitted his thoughts to wander back to the events that had led to this triumphant entry into Rome. They had said the enemy could not be conquered. Many had tried and many left in defeat and the losses were heavy. The general paused in his thoughts for just a moment to respond to a group of children who together were performing a cheer especially created for him and for this moment. Once his army had surrounded the rebellious city the general moved his army in with unprecedented force. The slaughter that ensued was fierce. The general was determined that this becomes a victory for the record book. In fact he had been reminded that if at least 5000 were killed the general would be personally honored with a procession through the streets of Rome.

As the procession came to the final bend the general's eyes glowed with anticipation as he viewed the arena just ahead. "This is where the fun would begin", he thought to himself. The procession would end at the arena where the crowd could allow their adulation for the general to turn into cheers for the lions who would feed off the captives kept alive for that very moment.

Any Roman soldier observing Jesus entering Jerusalem on that day would not be blamed for noting similarities between what he saw and what often occurred down the streets of Rome. Those who lined the streets on this day however were not Roman but Galileans who were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The knew of Christ from his time in Galilee and responded in this way because of the many miracles he performed while with them. (John 12:12-18) They had witnessed first hand what had never been possible before. Jesus had penetrated the forces of darkness and through healing and exorcisms had brought about an unprecedented slaughter. When they heard that he too was in Jerusalem they grabbed their cloaks, tore off palm branches and lined the streets of Jerusalem.

They had one song. There was a single cry in their hearts and it formed the content of their song. It was Hosanna! This was really a call for Jesus to achieve his latest victory right then, to vanquish once for all the Roman oppressors. Hosanna means SAVE NOW, and this is exactly what they expected him to do. The one they had seen conquer the powers of Satan could certainly crush the physical rule of Rome over God's people. The expectation was for an immediate act on the part of Christ to vanquish the enemy. How disappointed they must have been when they saw Christ enter the temple (vs.11) only to walk away having done nothing for them.

Yet they were wrong. He did come to do something about the oppression they were in, but it was a different oppression - the oppression of sin. Jesus would end that procession a week later at the cross. There he would be killed by the wild beasts of makind's sinfulness. It would be there at the arena of Calvary that their cry of Hosanna would be answered. And to put a twist to their expectations Christ was to lead the procession only to die for the captives. Ephesians 4:8 tells us "he led captives in his train..." Israel had longed for this moment but when it came they were not ready for it. For centuries this song of David from what is called the Hallel Psalms was the anthem for each Passover. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the coming Kingdom of our father David. Hosanna in the highest." (vs.9,10) Here was the moment of fulfillment.

The cry Hosanna continues to be sung today from the lips of the hurting and the oppressed. That cry is not answered in anything other than the cross of Christ. There at Calvary the cry of Hosanna turns into Hallelujah. There he has saved us! There at the cross we have been set free. Hebrews 2:14,15 uses language normally used in a report of war victory and describes Jesus as our conquering hero. Let these words find a place of comfort and strength in your heart and give you endurance as you continue to fight the battles around you. "He too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."

The triumphant Christian does not fight for victory; he celebrates a victory already won. The victorious life is Christ's business, not yours. Reginald Wallis