‘Hosanna’ - Please Save Now! John 12:12-19

Text:  “Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord; O Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity.  Blessed be He that cometh in the Name of the Lord; we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.  God is the Lord, which hath showed us His light; bind the Sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.”

Psalm 118:25-27.

Good morning, saved and secure Christian!  Not only has the Living Lord God granted you and I Salvation - in His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus, and in His Cross Sacrifice alone - He has also given us Eternal security through Him.  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!  In Christ we have full Atonement!

“Neither by the blood of bulls and goats and calves, but by His own Blood He (Christ Jesus) entered in once into the Holy Place, having obtained Eternal redemption for us…How much more shall the Blood of Christ, Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?”  (Hebrews 9:12-14)

When people heard that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, and was coming into Jerusalem - they, as people will, hungered after the Eternal Salvation that is found exclusively in Him.  They cried out ’Hosanna: blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the Name of the Lord.’

The souls of the multitude wanted Christ to save them, and to save them immediately!  Only He could do so.  But He would do it His own God-ordained way.  Not politically, not socially, not religiously - but Spiritually. 

Definition of Hosanna:

"Hosanna" (Greek transcription: σαννά, hōsanna) is the cry of praise or adoration shouted in recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! It is used in the same way in Christian praise.

Overall, it seems that, "Hosanna," is a cry for salvation, while at the same time is a declaration of praise. Therefore, it may be derived that this plea for help is out of an agreeably positive connotation.

The old interpretation "Save, now!" which may be a popular etymology, is based on Psalm118:25 Hebrew: הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא hOshEeah-nna) (Possibly "Saviour").” (From Wikipedia, the free online encyclopaedia)

The day before, the Lord Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead; the chief priests of Judaism had ‘…consulted…’ together in opposition, desiring to put Christ to death, and the risen Lazarus with Him!  However, when the Jewish multitude witnessed the raising of Lazarus from the grave, ’…many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.’  (V.11)

These new believers, and many many others who had gathered in Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover, ’…took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried ’Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the Name of the Lord.’  (V.13)  They were crying out for their long-awaited National Salvation!

“In the Psalmist’s days, He (Christ Jesus) was the Coming One, and He is still the Coming One, though He hath already come.  We are ready with our hosannas both for His first and second advent; our inmost souls thankfully adore and bless Him and invoke upon His head unspeakable joy.” (C.H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, M.I. 49501, page 508)

The multitude of common Jewish people thronged Christ Jesus and cried out their ’hosannas’ for His Salvation.  But just look at how the self-righteous Pharisees reacted to His coming: 

“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing?  Behold, the world is gone after Him.”  (V.19)

Yes, beloved Christian friend, all God’s elect throughout the world will indeed go after the Lord Jesus and receive His Eternal Salvation - if only you and I are bold enough to unashamedly proclaim the Gospel message.  ‘Hosanna!  Save now, Lord Jesus!  Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna!’ Amen.

Thought:  “…Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)  Call upon Christ today!