Hosanna!

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday. This is the day when Jesus made His entry into Jerusalem on a colt / Donkey as described in previous scripture.

Zechariah 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey." This prophecy describes the humble nature of the Messiah's entry into Jerusalem.

As he is coming the people put down palm leaves in his path and shouted Hosanna!

In Christian tradition, "Hosanna" has taken on a deeper and more specific meaning, associated with the welcoming and praise of Jesus as the Messiah, particularly during His entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). It is a word used to express adoration, salvation, and hope in Christ.

Hosanna is often translated “Please Save Us.” It is a Greek word “ὡσαννά” that most scholars believe is the transliteration of two Hebrew words- יָשַׁע- “yasha” which means “to save or deliver” and אָנּאָ – “anna” which means “please, I beseech.” Other scholars believe its Hebrew roots come from a different verb tense of “yasha” הוֹשַׁ֣ע which means to cause or to bring about salvation. In this tense, hosanna becomes a command to bring about or cause salvation.

Hosanna is primarily translated as “Please Save Us.” It's understood as a plea for help. It is a Greek word “ὡσαννά” that most scholars believe is the transliteration of two Hebrew words- יָשַׁע- “yasha” which means “to save or deliver” and אָנּאָ – “anna” which means “please, I beseech.” 

Hosanna is primarily translated as “Please Save Us.” It's understood as a plea for help. It is a Greek word “ὡσαννά” that most scholars believe is the transliteration of two Hebrew words- יָשַׁע- “yasha” which means “to save or deliver” and אָנּאָ – “anna” which means “please, I beseech.” 

Hosanna occurs in the New Testament 6 times. Matthew, Mark, and John mention that the people called out “Hosanna” in praise and celebration during Jesus’ Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem during the week before Passover.

“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’” (John 12:13)

"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:9)

“And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!’” (Mark 11:9-10)

My Grandchildren are both in school, J is in pre-K and S is in 1^st grade. They are homeschooled by my daughter. The curriculum is Christian based so the babies learn the ABC’s and 123’s but they also have faith things included which makes me happy. Even before they existed I dreamed of my Grandchildren and how it would me to watch them grow in faith. It warms my heart to hear them now when they learned something new in Church, there are scripture memorizations and art projects. They are really getting a good well rounded education about faith.

So to bring this back full circle, we were on the way to Church all of us in the car, my daughter mentioned it is Palm Sunday, then she said Hosanna, then in unison both of the older grandchildren shouted “Hosanna”. My breath caught because it was not rehearsed it was pure and what’s even better is that both of them know exactly what it means. It was a precious moment I will remember for a long time. I know Jesus was smiling down on them and my daughter and son-in-law for being intentional in the teachings and all things in their lives filled with faith.

I know those who have gone before me are proud too, my Mom and my daughters other Grandma would be proud also.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of Jesus and His gift. Thank You for this week. Be with all of us this week to keep it precious. Hosanna! Thank You - Amen