Hosanna -- Save Us Now

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem was no mere ticker tape parade. The crowd shouted out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (John 12:13) The word “Hosanna” is very important. It comes from Psalm 118:25, “Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!” Many of the people in the crowd would have had Psalm 118 in mind when they shouted, “Hosanna.” “Hosanna” means “Save us now.” The crowd was crying out for Jesus to save them. This word goes very well with the name “Jesus” which means, “Yahweh, or the Lord, saves.” The crowd was calling on Jesus to live up to his name and save them. This word Hosanna was also a church or religious word. People did not say “save” in every day, common speech. “Hosanna” was not simply a greeting you would give the passing celebrity, it was a word reserved for calling on the Lord. On Palm Sunday, the people in the crowd thought that Jesus was either an emissary from God or that he was the Messiah himself. The people believed and said that he came in the Name of the Lord. When the people cried out, “Hosanna – save us now,” it is sort of like crying out, “Lord have mercy.” The people wanted to be saved from many things. They had seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, perhaps, some hoped Jesus would raise their loved ones as he had Lazarus. Some cried out, “Hosanna” so that Jesus would heal them. Others cried, “Hosanna” for the deliverance that the promised Messiah would bring. Today we cry out, "Hosanna," Lord save us now.