[John 12:12-19] Hosanna
Many people went out to greet Jesus, having heard he would be coming to Jerusalem from Bethany. Even before they could see him, they began shouting ‘Hosanna!’
‘Hosanna (O, Save Us), King of Israel, coming from God.’ The people expected Jesus to liberate them from the Roman rulers. They would have whispered among themselves, ‘He can bring the dead back to life. He will deliver us from the Romans.’ ‘Yes, I have seen him raise the dead with my own eyes.’
Rumours and stories of Jesus’ miracles were spread among the people, and this heightened the expectations of the crowd awaiting Jesus. Their excitement heated up their air to the point where the Pharisees were claiming that the whole world was following Jesus. (You could say the ‘Wanted’ poster for Jesus changed into a Presidential Candidate poster for him)
Then Jesus comes into sight from far away.
He is on a young colt.
// This image is far from the conquering king image the people were expecting. The shouts of ‘Hosanna’ probably would have died down. The crowd would have grown apprehensive. Suspicion would grow in their hearts.
Hosanna. O, save us.
This reminds us of the parable, in which, having been rescued from drowning, the person demands that the rescuer hands over his possessions. Jesus jumped into the water to save us, leaving behind his kingship. Perhaps we are less grateful for his act of love, but more interested in having his bag as well. Maybe we are living like that… 😦
He came on a young colt. He comes, not in the appearance of a conquering king, but as our ‘hosanna’ saviour.
쉴만한 물가_quiet waters 