Hosanna: Children singing…
But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant (Matt 21:15).
Palm Sunday is traditionally observed to mark the day when Jesus entered Jerusalem in spectacular fashion riding on a colt. He was coming like many others to celebrate the annual Feast of Passover; but what was special about this event? First, his popularity among the masses had gone really high although the authorities wanted him arrested; Jesus was therefore no longer common in public gatherings, but this time round, he came openly and in the manner prophesied for the coming of the Messiah – “Rejoice greatly… Behold, your king is coming to you… humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech 9:9). The masses among whom Jesus was popular could not hold back their rejoicing.
This would be Jesus’ last celebration of the Passover while on earth, and this forms the second reason why this Entry was a special one. In the week following, Jesus did tremendous ministry and transformed forever the meaning of that feast. During the Passion Week, we will gather daily to learn and share from those final moments of our Saviour. But for this reflection, let us walk with Jesus in the Temple courts; he started by cleansing by harshly sending away business operators, then he preached and taught, and finally prayed for many people who received healings. Now he was walking around and children took their opportunity to praise him with the great Hosanna song that pointed to him as Messiah.
What would be your reaction if you hear that someone sat and passed an interview for your job yet you are still serving? For a president of a nation, a coup d’etat in the offing is like a man invading your bedroom to sleep with your wife. Any man would fight to the last drop of blood to keep away such an adversary. Was that the feeling of the chief priests and scribes that grew indignant about the Lord Jesus? Oh, what a shame – the very people who should have led the praise chorus were instead angry at children singing the right song to the right Man. We need the grace of God to know when to cling to a position and when to give it up to someone who will advance the cause better.
Back to the children, they sang happily and genuinely. I suppose they had learnt the song from parents and teachers, as well as the congregation that sang the song at the feasts. It is a challenge for us to watch what our children are learning; they learn a lot by imitation, and sometimes we have been embarrassed when we find them singing the wrong or vulgar song! To increase exposure of our children to what we want them to learn is the only sure way they will grow as desired. Let us today learn from the example of those children and sing ‘Hosanna’ – it is both praise and recognition that the Lord saves.
God bless you all.