ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 25, 2021
Scripture: John 12:12-15
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
Thought for the Day: This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the day we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. As Jesus approached, the crowd shouted, “Hosanna!” Most of us have heard the word and might have even shouted it ourselves. The etymology of the word is bit a complicated as most scholars believe the Greek word we translate as Hosanna is actually the transliteration of two Hebrew words. But which two Hebrew words? Some believe the words are “save us” and “please,” while other scholars say the two Hebrew words are “bring salvation” and “please.” It may not sound all that different, but one implies being rescued from the current situation as compared to transforming the current situation. I guess my response would be, “Why not both?” I believe there are moments when we need to be rescued from the current predicament. For whatever reason, it is too dangerous for someone to remain. At the same time, we follow a God who time and time again transformed situations that we had come to believe were beyond hope. Why could it not be both?
Prayer: Hosanna! Come and save us, O Lord! Bring your salvation to transform us and the world in which we live. This is our prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
