Hosanna! Now and Forevermore

palm branches

“They brought the donkey and the colt
and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.
Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
and others cut (palm) branches from the trees
and spread them on the road.
And the crowds that went before him and that followed him

were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
Matthew 21:7-9 ESV

He came as predicted. (Matthew 21:4-5)

And still they did not see. For their hopes were not set high enough. Wrapped tightly in political bondage, they were simply asking for a new leader. One to overthrow the Romans.

So when they shouted “Hosanna,” they were taking it literally. “Save us now.” Now. From the Romans. Not from forever. Not the world. Just us from the now.

But God knew.

God saw their need. And He promised to fulfill it.

With a makeshift red carpet, they covered the path for our Savior. By using their own clothes and branches signified for goodness and victory, they set the stage and anticipated. Yes. This man, this underdog from Nazareth, Galilee. He will be the answer. He will know how to turn their country around.

Hosanna in the highest! Save us now!

God saw their need. God promised to fulfill it.
And Jesus did just that. Not His will. But thine.

Jesus took ‘Hosanna’ to a whole new level.

Friends, I say ‘they’, but should say ‘we’. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been unable to see beyond my current circumstance and have downright begged for Jesus to come save me from it. Save me NOW!

Oh how my Jesus loves me. Enough to ensure I’m saved from more than the now.

God sees my need and has promised to fulfill it.

In fact, He already has…

Friends, I just need Jesus.

Blessed is He indeed… Hosanna in the highest.

So today, as I bow before Him, laying my dirty laundry at His feet. As I worship His name and proclaim all that He is to me. When I call my Savior ‘Hosanna’, I can know He’s saved me from…myself as well as this world that’s not my home. Not just in the now but for always.

And as I gather with my family in Christ this weekend. To remember the day of the palms this Passion Sunday. I will do just that. I will call Him Hosanna. I will proclaim Him in the highest.

And I will worship the One who saved me from now and forevermore. Not just from the Romans. But from my very own sin-soaked self. Indefinitely.

The time is coming…Can you feel it?

How about you, friends? What has Hosanna saved you from? I’d love to hear.

4 Responses to Hosanna! Now and Forevermore
  1. Marian Beaman
    April 11, 2014 | 3:50 pm

    In my Bible study (BSF International) we are studying the book of Matthew with chapters just now merging with the trial, Crucifixion, and resurrection of our Lord.

    How are I preparing? 1. Fashioning some palmetto leaves in my back yard for 2-year-olds in Sunday School to touch & learn about. 2. Designing a blog post for Easter week which emphasizes the resurrection.

    What has Hosanna saved me from? A life of sin and unfulfilled living. What has He saved me to? An abundant life as a sinner saved by grace alone.

    • Nikki
      April 12, 2014 | 6:08 pm

      “Unfulfilled living”…I love that thought, Marian…What a beautiful thing to be saved from! Thank you for sharing with me (and I’ll be teaching the 5-6 year old class tomorrow about Palm Sunday!):)

  2. Sherrey Meyer
    April 11, 2014 | 9:30 pm

    Nikki, dear heart, so good to connect through this amazing Hallelujah post. Yes, I can feel it! Preparations are underway as I’ve been reading Matthew searching for the verse to use on my Simply Sunday post — image and Bible verse — for Palm Sunday. I am thrilled to see the healing that has taken place following my husband’s back surgery so that he will be raising his voice along with his fellow choir members as well as playing in a brass group Sunday morning! Things to be thankful for!

    What has Hosanna saved me from? Oh, so much in my life — sin above all and from myself. Losing my sight of Him guiding my way is often my biggest problem and wanting to be in control. He continues to show me that He is the way and He is in control.

    Sending blessings of love and joy to you and yours this blessed weekend,
    Sherrey

    • Nikki
      April 12, 2014 | 6:10 pm

      I’ve been following up on Facebook and am so thankful for your husband’s successful surgery, Sherrey!

      “wanting to be in control” oh how I know that so well…crazy, isn’t it…when we know what He’s capable of yet we still think we should do it ourselves…{HUGS} thank you for sharing with me, friend.