Hosanna to the Son of David!

The crowds… shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Matthew 21:9

Those few days from the Triumphal Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem to His crucifixion afford all the proof we need of the fact that popularity is a fleeting thing and that unregenerate humankind are a fickle, depraved lot. It was “hurrahs” on Sunday and “hisses” on Friday—from the same crowd!

When Christ entered Jerusalem, He was acclaimed and applauded by the multitude. When He went out, He was spat upon and jeered by the mob. He rode into Jerusalem over the garments spread out before Him by the enthusiastic crowd. He went out bearing a cross. As they welcomed Him to the city, they cried, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” As He was led out of the city, they cried, “Away with him, crucify him!” He was received into the city as if He were a conqueror and a king. He was led out as if He were a malefactor and a criminal. When He came into Jerusalem, palm branches were waved in salutation before Him. When He went out, a crown of thorns was placed on His brow in mockery. So overwhelming was the enthusiasm of His reception into Jerusalem that the Pharisees, His enemies, said, “Behold, the world is gone after him.” So unpopular was He a few days later that not even the Roman governor, who found Him innocent, dared to risk the displeasure of the mob by setting Him free.

Is not the same spirit alive today? We sing, “Crown Him With Many Crowns” on Sunday and then go out to crucify Christ with our deeds the rest of the week. We give Him our money at the worship service, but fail to give Him our time and devotion during the rush of daily activity. We need the redeeming grace of Christ just as much today as those back in Jesus’ day.

Thought for the day: It’s not how loudly we shout, but how straight we walk that counts.

J.T. Seamands

“Annanias and Saphira wished to have the credit of a complete sacrifice and yet kept back part of it for themselves, “professing cream and practicing skim milk” as one has put it. Let us make sure that we confess with our lives what we profess with our tongues.” Selected