070401 Steeple Article – Walking with the Lord into Town and to the Cross

Matthew 21:9 says that people in Jerusalem during the Passover were so excited and expectant at Jesus’ entrance into the city that they cried “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” quoting Psalm 118:25. Hosanna is both a plea for help meaning "Save us now!" and a shout of praise to God “in the highest." Luke 19:39 passes over reciting Hosanna, but adds "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Matthew’s hosanna is a prayer for salvation without presuming Luke’s report that peace and glory are in heaven with God. Either way Jesus is the promised Messiah, the One coming in the name of God from the peace and glory of heaven.
Last week we acknowledged that the Lord requires of us to volunteer love of mercy, action for justice and a life that walks humbly with Him. Some of those praising Jesus on His glorious procession may have been thinking “what’s in it for me,” or “how will He take care of my needs?” Jesus meets each one of us according to where we are in life’s walk. Some have low and temporal needs; others seek permanent and true salvation, real peace on earth and reconciliation with God. Jesus Christ is still prepared to make triumphal entry in and throughout our individual lives so that we will personally discover a loving God of mercy, who shows us how to do justice by example, if we will only walk humbly with Him.
Since I have the resurrection story of Easter, it’s easy to criticize how the people on Palm Sunday expect only an earthly Messiah king to take them away from their cares and woes under Roman oppression. Fact is - I may cry out to the Lord to save me without obediently following Him or humbly walking with Him or even helping others to find the Lord’s love, justice and journey in humility.
“Hosanna in the Highest” may be only a blind chant for many in the sidelines who come to watch a parading Messiah coming through town. But I can choose to join a vital collective prayer with other believers who cry out in great expectation and praise for salvation through Him who comes in the name of the Lord.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son who came as a humble baby among the poor, then gave words of life in scripture. Thank You also for Your Spirit of reason, tradition and history that continues to cry, as from the cross, forgiveness (Luke 23:34), the promise of paradise (Luke 23:43), the gift of love and devotion between parent and child (John 19:26-27), the complete sacrifice of becoming our sin before Your holy righteousness (Mark 15:34), the divine and human thirst for righteousness (John 19:28), the completion of Your new creation (John 19:30) and Christ’s spirit rendered into Your hands (Luke 23:47). Blessed is He who comes in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.