HOSANNA!
Read it
Luke 19
37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Discover It
This event known as the “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem is one of the few events in the life of Jesus Christ that is recorded in the Bible in all four of the Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). And in Matthew, Mark, and John it is written that the crowds cried, “Hosanna” meaning “Save, Lord” as they shouted and waved palm branches and laid their cloaks on the ground before Jesus as he entered, riding on the back of a colt. Luke’s version of this account records that some of the Pharisees were indignant. “Teacher, rebuke your disciples,” they said to him in verse 39. But Jesus answered and said in verse 40, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Ask It
1. Why do you think the people were so happy when Jesus came riding into Jerusalem that day on the foal of a donkey. (Hint: Read Zechariah 9:9-17)
2. What are some ways that the people chose to rejoice and praise God that day? (Hint: Read verse 37-38, and also read Matthew 21:7-8)
3. Discuss why you think the Pharisees asked Jesus to rebuke his disciples. Also, what do you think Jesus meant when he said in verse 40, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out!”
Live It
1. Celebrate the coming of Jesus! The presence of Jesus should bring joy and praise to your hearts. Rejoice as the King to rides into your life and your heart!
2. Learn to praise the Lord! The people that day waved palm branches, shouted, rejoiced, praised, and even spread their garments in the rode in front of the small donkey and Jesus rode into town. How do you plan to praise the Lord today?
3. Don’t stay silent! Don’t let the stones rejoice in your place! Praise the Lord inside and outside, with your lips and with your life. Let everything in your being praise the Lord!
Pray It
1 Hosanna to the living Lord! / Hosanna to th'incarnate Word! / To Christ, Creator, Savior, King, / let earth, let heav'n hosanna sing. / 2 "Hosanna, Lord!" your angels cry; / "Hosanna, Lord!" your saints reply. / Throughout the earth, around your throne, / your people sing in sweetest tone. / 3 O Savior, with protecting care / abide in this your house of prayer, / Where we your parting promise claim, / assembled in your sacred name. / 4 O Spirit, all our sins forgive, / and come within our hearts to live. / Our souls shall be your temple pure / and you will make our faith endure. / 5 So, on that last and dreadful day, / when earth and heav'n shall melt away, / your flock, redeemed from sinful stain, / shall swell the sound of praise again. (Reginald Heber – 1827)
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