Luther Seminary

A daily devotion brought to you by the alumni of Luther Seminary

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Mark 11:1-11 (NRSV)

Read Mark 11:1-11 on biblegateway.com

Chapter 11When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples Verse 2and said to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. Verse 3If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.'" Verse 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, Verse 5some of the bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?" Verse 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Verse 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Verse 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Verse 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

"Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Verse 10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

Verse 11Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Devotion

Hosanna is one of those hundred-dollar religious words. We sing it in hymns in worship. We hear it shouted from the crowds in our Bible reading today. When I was growing up, I thought it was interchangeable with "Hallelujah," as if it were a shout of praise for God. Rather than a word of praise, though, "hosanna" is a word of pleading. it means, "Save us now!"

But save us from what? The Jews in Jesus' day were looking for freedom. They were looking for a king who would usher in the golden days of centuries gone by. They were looking for a time when Israel would be securely self-governed and their nation would be respected. The were seeking justice in an unjust time.

So what do you need to be saved from? Busyness? Addiction? A sense of meaninglessness? Who in our community is crying "Hosanna!" as they face injustice and a sense that those in power don't care about them?

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem signals a new kingdom is on its way. Justice is coming. Salvation is near. Jesus will save us an all who cry, "Hosanna!"

Prayer

Hosanna, Lord Jesus. You are the only one who can save us. Amen.

Jason Bryan-Wegner Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota

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