Last Sunday we observed Palm Sunday which was a joyful occasion to celebrate Jesus the Messiah, singing “Hosanna” which means “please save us”, similar to how the people celebrated Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem.
So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13)
Just five days later the same people who celebrated and worshipped him, deserted him and cheered for him to be put to death.
We’re just like those people who called for his death when say “please save us” (and then he does), but we go back to sin. That’s the pattern shared with us as we continue our reading of Judges 4-6 and as Jennifer noted yesterday. Something bad happens, we ask for rescue, God rescues them (us), and then we choose sin.
All week I’ve thought about the song Hosanna as one of my ongoing prayers is for a Christian revival where I live and work. The lyrics (written by Brooke Fraser and Hillsong UNITED) talk about a revival, inferring us to earnestly pray, on our knees:
I see a near revival stirring as we pray and seek. We’re on our knees.
Today’s assigned reading also includes Luke 21 which was assigned to me over three months ago to be published today. The song “Hosanna” starts out referencing the King of Glory coming on the clouds and coincidentally (or not), the reference verse from the song is part of today’s reading. I’m not clever enough to make this up so we’d better pay attention.
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:27)
This Son of Man is coming back, and each day brings us one day closer. Are you ready? And will you join me in praying for a revival, for those who are not ready?