Palm Sunday: Hosanna
Today's focusJesus enters Jerusalem humbly on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy, as crowds shout 'Hosanna' — a King of peace, not of war.
Read
1And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
Reflection
As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he does not call for a war horse or a chariot. Instead, he sends his disciples to find "an ass tied, and a colt with her." By choosing these humble animals, Jesus shows you the kind of King he is. He fulfills the ancient words: "Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek." He does not come to stir up violence or demand worldly power, but enters in peace. Even the way he travels is an act of gentle service, showing that he is accessible to everyone, from the greatest in the city to the lowliest on the road.
The people respond by spreading their garments and branches "in the way," honoring him with what they have. Their cry of "Hosanna" recognizes him as the "son of David" who comes "in the name of the Lord." When the whole city is moved and asks, "Who is this?", the answer is clear: he is a King of peace. Today, you can take comfort that Jesus does not approach you with force. He comes to you in meekness, inviting you to join the multitude that welcomes his peaceful presence into their lives.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
What kind of king do you want Jesus to be, and how does his humble entry challenge your expectations?
Pray
Hosanna to the Son of David! Lord Jesus, you came as a gentle and humble King. I welcome you into my life today — not on my terms, but on yours.