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FEAST OF HOSANNA - TRIUMPHAL ENTRY AT BETHPHAGE
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They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it. And many spread their coats in the road, and others {spread} leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: "Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!" (St. Mark 11:7-10)
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Just before we enter the Passion week of Great Lent, we start with the Feast of Hosanna (Palm Sunday), a feast that signifies victory and joy. The word "Hosanna" (derived from Hebrew Hosha-na) means "Save us now". In Greek, it is used as a shout of praise to God, while in Syriac, it means "Save us". I would like to share a few brief thoughts regarding the Feast of Hosanna. We see here a great, triumphant entry—a great entrance of God. Jesus is entering the city of Jerusalem during the Feast of Hosanna. This was a different kind of entrance compared to the typical pattern of a triumphant celebration. It was, in fact, fulfilling the prophetic word:
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Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9)
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This prophetic word is being fulfilled. Here is what we understand by this:
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The Procession of a Model King: This procession serves as a model of authority. Entry of Jesus to City of Jerusalen was an introduction of a model king to the world. The prophet says, "Your king comes," and provides three attributes of that king: He is righteous, He is "having salvation" (in the original Syriac, Furkono means "the one who brings salvation"), and He is humble.
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An unusual just and righteous King: Jesus is a king who brings righteousness and justice. He rides on a donkey, not a warhorse, signaling that He is a humble king Who comes in peace, bringing salvation to His people and as a King in our heart.
This triumphal entry is the beginning of the journey to the cross, where Jesus, the promised King, ultimately secures our salvation.
Prophet Amos emphasizes that justice must be consistent, unstoppable, and abundant, like a flowing river. "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." (Amos 5:24) In the Kingdom of God, both the reign and the ruler are just and righteous. We always see God acting justly and righteously, and we also see a King who brings salvation. In a conventional kingdom, we see kings surrounded by guards for their own safety. We also see kings and current rulers acting according to their own wishes and desires. However, this King [Jesus] was just, and He dedicated Himself to the safety and salvation of the world. This King was humble. These are the qualities we see in Him. We must always become aware of the variance with Divine Justice vs. that of worldly rulers: Unlike earthly kings who prioritize their own safety, the King of God's Kingdom is characterized by righteousness, humility, and sacrificing for the salvation of the world. Therefore, Christ serves as the ultimate example and a model for leadership today. King Jesus serves as the prototypical model, not merely for nations and rulers, but for the Church, the parish, the home, and any other organization or groups. Rather than practicing authoritarian domination, this King was modest and accessible to those around Him.
Another event we read about in this passage is the bringing of the donkey to Jesus. The details of this event are as follows:
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"And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring [him]. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him." (St. Mark 11:2-7)
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If we look at this passage symbolically, we should consider whether we are in the position of this donkey. The donkey was tied up. We can view ourselves as a tied donkey entangled in various issues of this world. Just as the donkey was seen by Jesus, God sees you and me, as we cannot be hidden from the sight of God. Wherever we are hidden, God sees us. Adam hid himself, but God saw him. Zacchaeus hid on the tree, but Jesus saw him. God is the one who sees us always; the God who knows our ties and entanglements. That God demands of us: "Remove your ties, free your bondages."
After Lazarus was raised from the dead, Jesus told the people to unbind him and let him go. Jesus wanted him near Him.
Jesus tells those sent to get the mule to say to the villagers, "The Lord has need of it". The Lord is in need of you and me, who are in the place of the donkey. To those who are downtrodden, those who are desperate, those who are suffering, those who are in hardship, and those who are abandoned, Jesus says, "I am in need of you."
Let this mule be you and me. Let us become the mule upon which God dwells.
Ultimately, we see ordinary people earnestly joining the Hosanna procession to greet and welcome the new King of Israel. Similarly, we should open the mansion of our hearts to receive and embrace the entry of the Lord Jesus Christ. As the Psalmist says: "Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory" (Psalm 24:7-10). We must open our hearts to receive the glorious King into our lives, living purely and removing obstacles. Like the children at Hosanna, nothing should hold us back from moving forward boldly to prepare our hearts for Jesus. May God help us all in this achievement and accomplishment of welcoming our Savior King.
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