“And the crowd which went before Him, and that followed, cried out, saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest’. And He coming into Jerusalem, all the city was excited, saying, 'Who is this?’ And the crowd said, ‘This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.’” (St. Matthew 21:1-9)
In the name of Jesus. Amen. As King Jesus rode into Jerusalem, they prayed, “Save us, Lord, to the Highest!” Hosanna means, “Save us, Lord.”
That’s why the King has come to town! He came to answer that very prayer. He rides into Jerusalem to die. His death will destroy death.
Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
What sins trouble you? What sins keep you up at night? What horrific thing have you done that you think separates you from God? How does your life measure up to the Ten Commandments? What sin is troubling you? What sin are you trapped in?
He rides to take away your sins. He rides to forgive your sins. He rides to free you from the slavery of your sins. He rides to fulfill the Ten Commandments for you. He rides to comfort you. He rides to save you.
Because Jesus rode into Jerusalem to die for you, God will never hold your sins against you. You deserve to die and suffer forever. But He rode into Jerusalem to suffer and die in your place. His death counts for you.
Today, the King comes to you! Before He comes to you, you will sing! “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!”
King Jesus answers that prayer too! He delivers His salvation to you in His Supper. He gives His Body given for you on the Cross and His Blood shed for you for the forgiveness of all your sins. He won your salvation on the cross and delivers that salvation to you in His Supper.
What you have done cannot damn you. It just can’t. Not after Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to die for you. Not after He delivered that salvation to you in the Lord’s Supper.
Hosanna in the highest! Save us, Jesus, we pray! He will save us on Good Friday. Today He delivers Good Friday to us in His Supper. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. Bow your meek head to mortal pain, Then take, O Christ,your power and reign.” (LW 105, v.5)
Higher Things Reflections are written by Rev. George F. Borghardt III, Assistant Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Conroe, TX.