April 3rd, 2023
by Jon Welch
by Jon Welch
The Triumphant Entry
Its Sunday. In five days, Jesus will be crucified. Mark records Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
Read Mark 11:1–11
Look back at verse nine.
“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Mark 11:9
Every year, as travelers approached Jerusalem for Passover, this phrase was part of a series of psalms the people eagerly sang to praise God for His deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt. Now, as Jesus arrived, the people called out these words. Hosanna literally means “save, we pray,” Both adults and children shouted this as Jesus entered Jerusalem and the temple. Look at how Jesus was greeted! It was a parade where shouts of joy and excitement filled the air. The people welcomed Him as a powerful king, the hope of Israel, and the Rescuer of the people from their Roman oppressors. They were expecting a “Messiah” who would free them from the authority of the Romans- one who would establish them as a sovereign nation. But was this what Jesus came for? To change their circumstances?
Take a few moments and consider your expectations for Jesus? Are you, or have you ever, been guilty of expecting Jesus to change your circumstances? Is that what Jesus came for?
Of course not. Jesus was not just a conquering king, a teacher, or a change agent for the circumstances surrounding the people. He was/is the Messiah, the King of all kings, and the Rescuer of people from their sins. We can’t miss out on the significance of Hosanna for our world today. While people look for a temporary solution to their problems, Hosanna represents the permanent change in people’s hearts. Salvation by grace through faith brings the only real change. This change may or may not affect external circumstances, but it will change the one who worships Christ.
As you begin this Holy Week devotional, take time to remember the power of salvation for all who are in Christ. He did not come for the temporary but for the eternal.
Read Hebrews 2:14-18
As Hebrews 2 teaches, our problem is that we were enslaved by the devil and subject to lifelong slavery. But Jesus came to Hosanna us.
What a good and loving God we have.
We’ll see this loving savior show his love for us this week.
In what areas of your life do you need a permanent change? Sometimes we expect God to swoop in and deal with it... but the Bible teaches that we are responsible for repenting and going in another direction with our lives.
You see- repenting is more than saying, “I’m sorry.” Repenting implies actionable steps in a new direction.
In what areas do you need to pray, “Save, we pray. Hosanna”.
Recently I’ve had a troublesome conversation with my youngest. She’ll do something wrong, say “I’m sorry” when corrected, and then do the exact lousy thing again. I want to yell, “What are you doing!?!? You said you were sorry, but then did the same thing again?!?!?”
IT DRIVES ME CRAZY.
But then I realize that’s me. I do that daily with my heavenly Father. I fall into sin, feel the consequences of my sin, cry out for help... then do it again. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Am I genuinely sorry if I don’t change my behavior?
Today, set some time aside and write a prayer to God, identifying the area(s) of your life that need to be saved. Identify them specifically. And discuss with God your desire to be saved from these areas. Then come up with a game plan. For example, how will I demonstrate my desire to repent?
Read Mark 11:1–11
Look back at verse nine.
“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Mark 11:9
Every year, as travelers approached Jerusalem for Passover, this phrase was part of a series of psalms the people eagerly sang to praise God for His deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt. Now, as Jesus arrived, the people called out these words. Hosanna literally means “save, we pray,” Both adults and children shouted this as Jesus entered Jerusalem and the temple. Look at how Jesus was greeted! It was a parade where shouts of joy and excitement filled the air. The people welcomed Him as a powerful king, the hope of Israel, and the Rescuer of the people from their Roman oppressors. They were expecting a “Messiah” who would free them from the authority of the Romans- one who would establish them as a sovereign nation. But was this what Jesus came for? To change their circumstances?
Take a few moments and consider your expectations for Jesus? Are you, or have you ever, been guilty of expecting Jesus to change your circumstances? Is that what Jesus came for?
Of course not. Jesus was not just a conquering king, a teacher, or a change agent for the circumstances surrounding the people. He was/is the Messiah, the King of all kings, and the Rescuer of people from their sins. We can’t miss out on the significance of Hosanna for our world today. While people look for a temporary solution to their problems, Hosanna represents the permanent change in people’s hearts. Salvation by grace through faith brings the only real change. This change may or may not affect external circumstances, but it will change the one who worships Christ.
As you begin this Holy Week devotional, take time to remember the power of salvation for all who are in Christ. He did not come for the temporary but for the eternal.
Read Hebrews 2:14-18
As Hebrews 2 teaches, our problem is that we were enslaved by the devil and subject to lifelong slavery. But Jesus came to Hosanna us.
What a good and loving God we have.
We’ll see this loving savior show his love for us this week.
In what areas of your life do you need a permanent change? Sometimes we expect God to swoop in and deal with it... but the Bible teaches that we are responsible for repenting and going in another direction with our lives.
You see- repenting is more than saying, “I’m sorry.” Repenting implies actionable steps in a new direction.
In what areas do you need to pray, “Save, we pray. Hosanna”.
Recently I’ve had a troublesome conversation with my youngest. She’ll do something wrong, say “I’m sorry” when corrected, and then do the exact lousy thing again. I want to yell, “What are you doing!?!? You said you were sorry, but then did the same thing again?!?!?”
IT DRIVES ME CRAZY.
But then I realize that’s me. I do that daily with my heavenly Father. I fall into sin, feel the consequences of my sin, cry out for help... then do it again. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Am I genuinely sorry if I don’t change my behavior?
Today, set some time aside and write a prayer to God, identifying the area(s) of your life that need to be saved. Identify them specifically. And discuss with God your desire to be saved from these areas. Then come up with a game plan. For example, how will I demonstrate my desire to repent?
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2 Comments
Great point! Thank you for doing these!
I realize that 1 always expect God the Father to Hosana me. Is it selfishness or faithfulness? Jesus came to hear everyone's prayers. Not just mine and wanting priority. Whew!! Intense question. My minds every where on this