Hosanna to the King!
Thank you for joining me today to read the Word and receive revelation of what the Lord has for you. The Word of God is Truth and living by It will only and always better your life. Eric
This coming Sunday, in churches around the world, we will be celebrating Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. This was Jesus’ last journey into the city before He was crucified.
Before we look at Matthew’s account of the Triumphant Entry, let’s look at a prophecy which had been given by Zechariah 400 years earlier, which speaks of a ‘King’ coming to Jerusalem, bringing salvation. Yes! You read that correctly - the coming of the Savior was foretold 400 years before its fulfillment! Zechariah 9:9 (ESV) reads, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” ‘Daughter’ of Zion and Jerusalem refers to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, often called ‘Zion,’ which is the term used for the city of David - the spiritual center of Israel. (Strong’s). Proclaiming the arrival of a king - in the context of the New Testament refers to Jesus Christ. ‘Your‘ king signifies a personal and direct relationship between the king and the people of Jerusalem.
“Historically, kings would enter cities in grand processions, yet this king came in humility. That is quite a contrast with the typical image of a conquering ruler. In ancient times, a donkey was a symbol of peace, as opposed to a horse, which was associated with war. By riding a donkey, Jesus demonstrated His mission of peace and humility.” (Bible Hub, Study Bible).
Matthew 21:1-11 (ESV) reveals the fulfillment of this prophetic word given by Zechariah, “Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once." 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" 11 And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee."
When Jesus instructed the two disciples to bring a donkey and her colt to Him, it very pointedly fulfills the prophecy we read in Zechariah. “A ‘colt,’ signifies purity and newness, symbolizing the ‘new covenant’ Jesus brings. In cultural context, riding a colt that had never been ridden signifies a sacred or royal act, affirming Jesus’ messianic role.” (Bible Hub, Study Bible). Quoting from what Zechariah 9:9 reveals, taking note again of what the prophet said, “Behold, ‘your king’ is coming to you.” The word for ‘king’ in Strong’s Greek Lexicon is basileus which “primarily means: king or sovereign ruler. This conveys authority, governance and the exercise of power often in a monarchial context.”
“The action of the people putting their cloaks on the donkey and her colt (in verse 7) was not simply a gesture of honor and respect. It was an acknowledgement of Jesus’ royal status - even if they did not fully understand the nature of His Kingship. Instead of establishing political dominion, He introduced a Kingdom based on repentance, faith, and reconciliation with God.” (Bible Hub). Also, the fact that Jesus sat on the cloaks marked Jesus’ public declaration of His messianic identity. He aligned Himself with the messianic expectations. This means it was indeed a messianic prophecy fulfilled.
We read in verse 8 that most of the crowds were spreading their cloaks on the ground, which in that day, was an act of homage and respect. These kinds of actions would have been seen at a reception given for royalty. For the people, it symbolized Jesus’ authority and Kingship.
Although the Scripture does not specifically say where the crowds came from or who they were - there is no doubt in my mind that some were those who had been healed, or witnessed miracles, or been a part of the 5,000 He fed with the 5 loaves and 2 fish. I have no doubt they were among those whose lives were changed because of an encounter with Christ.
Matthew 21 verse 8 reveals that ‘others cut branches from palm trees and spread them on the road.’ In Jewish tradition, palm branches used this way were a symbol of submission, honor, victory or triumph . The branches from palm trees were used in celebrations such as the Feast of Tabernacles. It reflected the people’s hope for deliverance and victory through Jesus.
Verse 9 reads, “And the crowds that went before Him and that followed Him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” All four gospels mention this account! (Mark 11:10; Luke 19:38; John 12:13). Any time the Lord repeats something in His Word, it is important and we should take special notice of it. ‘Hosanna’ is an exclamation of praise and adoration often translated as “save now” or “save, please.” The crowd’s use of ‘Hosanna’ during Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem reflects their hope for deliverance and recognition of Him as the Messiah! (Strong’s Lexicon). It is also a direct quote from Psalm 118:26. “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” signifies divine approval and mission indicating that Jesus comes with God’s authority and blessing. “Hosanna in the Highest” suggests the salvation Jesus brings is not just earthly by also has heavenly significance. Praise God!
There are numerous Scriptures that speak of a coming king whose kingdom would never end and who would come from David’s lineage.
In verses 15 and 16 in 2 Samuel 7;12-16, we read what the Lord spoke of David, “My loving devotion will never be removed from him. 16 Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me and your throne will be established forever.” ‘House’ indicates David’s royal lineage; ‘kingdom’ denotes the realm which his descendants will rule. This is the foundational promise for understanding the messianic expectations in Jewish and Christian theology. ‘Established forever’ represents the eternal aspect of David’s lineage and kingdom. ‘Throne’ represents royal authority and governance or the divine right to rule.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the covenant God made with King David. He was ‘born in David’s royal lineage’ and at present, He is seated on the throne in heavenly place at the right hand of the Father. (Ephesians 2:6; Eph 1:20).
The following Scriptures are additional prophetic verses concerning the coming of the Messiah:
Jeremiah 23:5 (ESV), “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”
Isaiah 9:6,7 (ESV), “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”
Micah 5:2 (ESV), “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Then, we see the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies in:
Luke 1:32 and 33 (NIV), “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end."
Matthew 2:1 and 2 (NIV), “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
Jesus affirmed His Kingship when speaking to Pilate before His crucifixion, in John 8:36 and 37 (NIV), “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word.”
We see Jesus in His place of authority after His resurrection:
Ephesians 1:20,21 (NIV), “he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
Mark 16:19 (NIV), “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.”
Hebrews 1:3 (NIV), “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Hallelujah! Jesus is seated on the throne!
Next we will see Jesus as the supreme authority over all creation:
Revelation 19:15 and16 (NIV) “Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.”
1 Timothy 6:13-16 (NIV), “In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”
The concept of Jesus as King is a central theme in Christian theology, reflecting His divine authority, messianic fulfillment, and eternal reign.
“The Kingship of Jesus is a foundational truth that shapes Christian faith and practice. Through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension Jesus fulfills the Old Testament promises and establishes His eternal reign. As King, He invites us all to enter His kingdom and experience the transformative power of His rule.” (Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia).
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was not to overthrow Roman rule, but to conquer sin and death through His impending sacrifice on the cross.
“The dual nature of Christ’s mission as suffering servant and the conquering King invites believers to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and to embrace the paradox of His Kingdom where true victory is achieved through humility and self-giving love.” (Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia).
“With the fulfillment of the prophecies, we see clearly the reliabilities of the Scriptures. It helps us know we can trust God’s Word and His promises completely!” (Bible Hub).
“The triumphal theme in the Word calls believers to live in the light of Christ’s victory and anticipating the day when His Kingdom will be fully realized.” (Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia).
A final thought to ponder:
“Have you heard that crowd of noise in your life? What has your answer been? Do you join the crowd or step out of the crowd and take a stand for what we know is true? Because a day will come when we aren’t part of any crowd anymore. A day will come when we are one on one with the Creator of us all, God the Father. And we will be judged, not on what we did as a crowd, but what we did as individuals with His Son, Jesus Christ.” (Stephen Buhr).
As you celebrate Palm Sunday, remember:
The crowds that lead and followed Christ when He made His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem, shouted ‘Hosanna!’ to reflect their hope for deliverance and recognition of Him as the Messiah.
Jesus came with God’s authority and blessing.
What a wondrous privilege we have… to be able to shout to our Messiah:
“Hosanna to our King!”
“Our Savior!”
“Our Lord!”
ESV English Standard Version
NIV New International Version