Behind the Hosannas

Owsannanyrov Ydin

Mark 11:1-11

Today is the beginning of the Passion Week, the most important week in the life of our Lord Jesus. Also it is the week where we see our Lord expresses both his sorrow and love towards us, towards the universe, towards God’s creation. One of my favorite songs is When I survey the wondrous Cross, where the poet expresses the concept best: “Sorrow and love flow mingled down.”

The victorious entry of Jesus on Palm Sunday was anticipated by the people of Jerusalem. They were waiting for this moment. They sang psalms, they sang praises. Let me quote from the book of Psalms:

“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O LORD, save us (hosanna, hashouanna); O LORD, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.” (Psalm 118:22-26a)

Today I look at this event through the eyes of Mark.

First, we have an emphasis on the preparation of this parade. “Go find the colt and bring it to Jesus.” (1-7).

Second, we read about the procession how they put their garments and leafy branches on the road and they were multitude of crowds shouting, “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” (8-10).

Third, there is only one verse written about what happened next:

“Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late…” (11)

Entering the temple should have been the climax of the parade. It is incredible; no one greeted him at the gates of the temple. Imagine you arrive to your hometown. They cheer you one the road, but when you arrive home, no one is there. Mark does not describe Jesus’ emotions. But Matthew and Luke describe the tears that Jesus shed when he looked at the city.

It was Jewish custom that when a dignitary came to the city of Jerusalem, the high point of the visit would be visiting the temple. The end of the procession was the temple. Jesus was also making a theological statement by visiting the temple, the place where God resides. He will be replacing the temple; he will give a new meaning to the temple. Where are those who believed in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Where are the worshipers? Where are the ones who were shouting, “Save us”?

Therefore my sermon title is, “Behind the Hosannas.” I would like to describe the tears and the sorrow that Jesus felt in his ministry, not just today, but during his encounter with people.

Luke 13:34-35

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

We see Jesus weeping and lamenting on the city of Jerusalem. His lament applied to all of Israel, since Jerusalem was the religious and political center of the nation. Jesus weeps when we reject his protection, like a “hen” that gathers her “chicks”. How often they rejected Jesus. How often we reject Jesus. Jesus laments on the authorities of the day, the big guys who thought they had authority, and they could rule. In fact, they would be destroyed.

-Does our political and “religious” life submit to Jesus?

We will continue in English.