Hosanna (הושע נא, hoshiya-na): Lord Save Us

Date: 13th April 2025 | Occasion: PALM SUNDAY | Topic: Hosanna – Lord Save us

Hosanna : A Cry for Salvation: The Journey from Desperation to Deliverance:

As the sun rose over Jerusalem 2000 years ago, the city was on the cusp of something profound. The streets, usually bustling with the everyday life of an ancient city, were instead filled with a sense of anticipation and hope. A crowd had gathered, many of whom were pilgrims, from all walks of life, and from all corners of the ancient world. They were not merely waiting for an ordinary person to pass by—they were awaiting a Savior. The moment had come for the fulfillment of prophecies, and as Jesus entered Jerusalem riding humbly on a donkey, the people’s response was unequivocal: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9, Mark 11:9-10, Luke 19:38, John 12:13).

But what does this cry “Hosanna” really mean? It is not just a joyous shout of praise; it is, at its core, a cry for deliverance—a desperate plea for salvation.

1. The Theological Significance of “Hosanna”

The word Hosanna is rich in its historical and theological significance. Derived from the Hebrew phrase ” הושע נא,– Hoshia-na,” meaning “Save now, I pray,” Hosanna is a cry of hope and deliverance. It reflects an age-old recognition of the human need for salvation—an acknowledgment that without divine intervention, humanity remains lost in bondage.

In the context of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the cry of Hosanna becomes twofold. On one hand, it is a cry of joy, as the people welcome their Messiah. On the other hand, it is a cry that encapsulates their deep longing for deliverance from the political, social, and spiritual oppression that had plagued them for centuries. The Jewish people were under Roman occupation, suffering from religious and political manipulation, and their hope for the Messiah was often entwined with their desire for freedom from these forces. Thus, their cry for salvation was not just spiritual—it was also political and social.

2. Hosanna: A Cry for Peace and Restoration (Zechariah 9:9-10)

In the Old Testament, the prophet Zechariah paints a picture of a coming king who would bring peace, not through military conquest, but through humility and righteousness. Zechariah 9:9-10 says:

“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. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.”

This prophecy was fulfilled in the most unexpected way. Jesus, the Messiah, did not arrive on a warhorse but on a humble donkey, signifying that His kingdom would not be one of violent overthrow but of peace and reconciliation. His entry into Jerusalem, as the crowds shouted “Hosanna!” was not just a political declaration but a theological one. It signaled the arrival of the King of Peace, whose reign would not be established through force but through love, sacrifice, and the healing of broken relationships.

In the ancient world, the donkey was not just any animal—it was considered a royal one. The donkey was seen as a symbol of peace and humility. In Israel’s history, several prominent figures rode donkeys to signify their rule of peace. For instance,

Jair, the judge of Israel from Gilead, had thirty sons who rode on donkeys (Judges 10:3-4).
Mephibosheth’s steward, Ziba, also traveled by donkey (2 Samuel 16:1), and
Ahithophel, a respected minister in the time of David and Absalom, journeyed on a donkey (2 Samuel 17:23).
Even Mephibosheth, Saul’s son, approached David on a donkey (2 Samuel 19:26).

A king who came riding on a horse was associated with war, while a king who arrived on a donkey symbolized peace. Jesus’ choice to enter Jerusalem on a donkey was His declaration as the Lord of Peace, signaling that His kingdom would be one of reconciliation and divine love. This message of peace is one that transcends time. As we look around the world today, we see ongoing wars, civil unrest, and political division. The cry of Hosanna echoes in our hearts just as it did in Jerusalem, as we long for the peace that only Jesus can bring. Hosanna is a cry for the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts, in our nations, and in our world.

3. Hosanna: The Cry for Deliverance from Oppression (Luke 19:29-40)

The historical context of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is essential for understanding the depth of the Hosanna cry. The people of Jerusalem were living under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire. Many of them were outcasts, marginalized by the socio-political and religious systems of the time. The Roman Empire had imposed harsh taxes, and the religious leaders had corrupted the temple system, turning it into a marketplace where the poor were often excluded from full participation in worship.

The palm branches that the people waved were not only symbols of joy but also symbols of victory. In Roman culture, the palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory, often associated with military conquests. For the Jewish people, it symbolized a victory over oppression. The people who greeted Jesus with “Hosanna!” were yearning for a savior who would deliver them from these oppressive systems. They were looking for a Messiah who would set them free from the physical and spiritual chains that bound them.

Today, as we reflect on the cry of Hosanna, it is impossible to ignore the ongoing struggles that humanity faces—wars, poverty, systemic injustices, racial and ethnic oppression. The world is still crying out for liberation. As we welcome Jesus into our hearts and lives this Palm Sunday, we join that ancient cry, asking Him to deliver us from the oppressive forces that continue to impact so many lives around the world. Hosanna! is not just a cry for personal salvation but a call for systemic change—a plea for God to break the chains of injustice and oppression.

4. Hosanna: The Cry for Spiritual Renewal: Purification of the Temple (Matthew 21:12-13, John 2:13-22)

At the heart of Jesus’ mission was the restoration of true worship and spiritual renewal. When Jesus entered the temple and drove out the money changers, He demonstrated His zeal for the sanctity of God’s house. The temple, once a place of prayer, had been turned into a den of thieves (Matthew 21:13, Mark 11:17). The people who had welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem were also living in a world where religion had been corrupted. Their worship had been commercialized, and access to God had been commodified.

In our modern world, the same corruption of faith persists. Religion is often used for political gain, and the commercial exploitation of spirituality is all too prevalent. As we cry “Hosanna!” today, we are also calling for a spiritual renewal, asking Jesus to cleanse our hearts and our churches, to purify our worship, and to restore true devotion to God.

5. Hosanna: A Holistic Salvation

The cry of Hosanna on Palm Sunday is not merely a shout of joy, but a cry that embodies a holistic desire for salvation. It is a cry for peace, for deliverance from oppression, and for spiritual renewal. This cry transcends the confines of any one moment or circumstance; it is a cry for every heart that longs for a Savior. It calls us to examine our own lives and our world, to reflect on the ways we need God’s intervention in our personal, social, and spiritual realities.

As we shout “Hosanna!” this Palm Sunday, we are reminded that Jesus entered Jerusalem not as a political ruler but as the King of Peace, the Savior who would bring healing to a broken world. His triumphal entry was not the end of the story but the beginning of the journey to the cross, where He would fully accomplish the salvation that the people so desperately sought.

A Prayer of Salvation

As we contemplate the cry of Hosanna this Palm Sunday, let us not only celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem but also recognize our own desperate need for His salvation. Let us pray:

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today with open hearts, acknowledging our need for salvation. We cry out, “Hosanna!”—Save us now, O Lord. We pray for peace in a world torn by conflict, for deliverance from the oppression that still afflicts so many, and for spiritual renewal in our hearts and in Your Church.

We thank You for sending Jesus, our King, who came humbly to bring salvation. We welcome Him into our lives and our hearts today, asking Him to cleanse us, to purify our worship, and to restore our relationship with You.

May His peace reign in our hearts, His salvation bring us freedom, and His love guide us toward a better world.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This Palm Sunday, as we shout “Hosanna!” let us reflect on the deeper meaning of our cry. It is not just a call for personal salvation, but for a holistic transformation of our world. Jesus, the King of Peace, has come to bring salvation—not only to Jerusalem but to the entire world. May we welcome Him into our lives with open hearts, ready to receive His deliverance, peace, and renewal. Hosanna! Lord, save us.

Scripture Readings:

Zechariah 9: 1 – 12 (Old Testament)
Psalm 118: 19 – 29
1 Timothy 4: 6 – 16 (Epistle)
Luke 19: 29 – 40 (Gospel)

References for the Sermon: “Hosanna – A Cry for Salvation”

Matthew 21:9 – “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Mark 11:9-10 – “Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
Luke 19:38 – “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
John 12:13 – “They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
Zechariah 9:9-10 – “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. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations.”
Matthew 21:12-13 – Jesus Cleanses the Temple: “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.”
Psalm 118:25-26 – “Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.”
Isaiah 1:11-12 – “The multitude of your sacrifices—what are they to me? says the Lord. I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?”
Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
John 2:13-22 – Jesus Cleanses the Temple: “When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts, He found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.”
Matthew 21:1-17 – Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.

Interesting Facts About Palm Sunday in Jesus’ Time or in History

Palm Branches as Symbols: The palm branch is significant in both Jewish and Roman culture. In Jewish tradition, the palm branch was part of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), symbolizing victory and peace. It was often used to honor kings and military victors. The people’s use of palm branches during Jesus’ triumphal entry was their way of acknowledging His royalty and Messiahship.
The Donkey’s Significance: Jesus’ choice to ride a donkey rather than a warhorse was highly symbolic. In Eastern cultures, riding a donkey signified peace, while a horse was typically used for war. Jesus’ humble entry on a donkey was a declaration that His kingdom was not one of military might, but one of peace and reconciliation (Zechariah 9:9-10). This peaceful message of salvation contrasted with the expectations of the Jews who were hoping for a warrior king to overthrow Roman rule.
The Crowds’ Expectation of Political Liberation: The people who welcomed Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna” were expecting political liberation from Roman oppression. Their cry for deliverance was not just spiritual, but a desire for freedom from the tyranny of Roman rule. The term “Hosanna” was not merely a greeting; it was a request for salvation and freedom from their socio-political struggles.
The Prophetic Significance: The event of Palm Sunday fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9-10, where it was foretold that the Messiah would come to Jerusalem “righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey.” The crowd’s recognition of Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy made Palm Sunday an important moment in the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah.
The Passover Connection: Palm Sunday took place just days before Passover, the most significant Jewish festival, commemorating the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This timing symbolized that Jesus, the Lamb of God, would offer ultimate deliverance from sin and death. Just as the Israelites were freed from Egyptian bondage, Jesus’ upcoming sacrifice would provide freedom from the bondage of sin.
The Temple Cleansing: Immediately following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple and drove out the money changers (Matthew 21:12-13). This act was not only a protest against the commercialization of the temple but also a sign that Jesus was initiating a renewal of worship in spirit and truth. This act highlighted Jesus’ zeal for pure worship and His mission to restore true spirituality among the people.
The “Hosanna” Cry and Its Meaning: “Hosanna” literally means “Save now” or “Save, I pray,” in Hebrew. The crowd was not just praising Jesus—they were pleading for salvation. It was a recognition that the Messiah, the Savior, had come to deliver them. This contrasts with its use today, where “Hosanna” is often used as an expression of praise, though it originally carried a deeper, urgent plea for God’s intervention.
Palm Sunday in Early Christianity: The celebration of Palm Sunday can be traced back to the early Christian church. By the 4th century, Palm Sunday was observed as a special day of commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Christians in Jerusalem would walk in procession, waving palm branches and singing hymns in honor of Christ’s kingship.
Palm Sunday and the Beginning of Holy Week: Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, which leads up to Easter. It is a time for Christians to reflect on the events that led to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Palm Sunday not only celebrates Jesus’ kingship but also foreshadows His journey to the cross, where He would lay down His life for the salvation of the world.
The Dual Nature of Jesus’ Kingdom: The Palm Sunday event points to the dual nature of Jesus’ kingdom: it is both a present spiritual reality and a future physical reign. Jesus came to inaugurate God’s kingdom on earth, but it will not reach its fullness until His second coming. The people’s shouts of “Hosanna” were an acknowledgment of this tension between the present and the future fulfillment of God’s reign.

By reflecting on these historical and biblical facts, we are reminded of the profound significance of Palm Sunday—not just as a celebration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, but as a profound declaration of the peace, salvation, and renewal He brings to both the world and to each individual believer.