palm sunday - a hosanna moment
Palm Sunday was a hosanna moment - a day of great rejoicing. Jesus knew it was time - time to go to Jerusalem. He had done many miracles. His followers were devout and they were growing in numbers. A group of them set out with him, and prophecy was fulfilled as He asked them to get a particular donkey for Him to ride on as He entered the city.
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9
The crowd was ecstatic. They really did not understand what was to come for Jesus, but they wanted to be a part of it. And they did understand how to celebrate the moment. As they ran along beside Jesus they shouted! And waved palm branches.
“The crowds went ahead of him and those that followed shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:9
And they knew what the word “hosanna” meant. It is a powerful and ancient expression of praise and adoration. It was a plea for salvation - “Save us, we pray.” It was a joyful declaration of belief in deliverance.
This hosanna moment has often been called the “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem. It is a moment of great hope and anticipation. It is a joy-moment. Don’t miss it! Let’s exult in this prophecy-come-true moment and spend the day shouting hosanna’s as those followers did. Let’s make it a day of immense gratefulness for a Savior who was willing to go through anything and everything that He knew was coming - for us.
As you pray on this special Hosanna day, thank God for His blessings, naming them with grateful remembrance. Thank Him for faithfully riding into Jerusalem, knowing what He would go through to save you, dying in your place, for your sins so that you could share eternity with Him. He truly is the God who saves and the King who will reign eternally.
“For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
What will you do on Palm Sunday personally or as a family to create your own Hosanna moment? Here are some ideas:
- Share the meaning of the word Hosanna with your kids, then snip some branches from your backyard and have a palm-waving, hosanna-shouting parade (use the wording in Matthew 21).
- Take a moment to make a family “Rejoice list” of things that you and your family are grateful for, then spend some time in prayer thanking the Lord for His love and blessings, and for your salvation.
- Gather as a family and draw pictures of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, then talk about them and pray together.
by the Body & Soul® Spiritual Impact Team
Body & Soul® Fitness is an international Christian fitness organization that trains and equips instructors to lead a variety of group fitness programs including choreographed aerobics-style Cardio Strength & Flexibility™, cardio dance style Dance Blast™, free-weights-focused Power Strength™, boot camp style FIT360™ and Longevity FIT360™, and GOLD™ - lower impact programming for participants that are pregnant, have weight challenges, injuries, or other medical conditions. These exercise classes meet in church gyms, community centers, gymnasiums, parking lots, schools, etc. across the United States, Europe, and Africa. In-person and virtual fitness classes are available.
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