Different Words...Same Cry

   Have you ever wished for something and not receive it? When I was a boy, I dreamed of playing in the Major leagues. When the announcer spoke my name, it echoed across the field. I visualized making my way to the batter’s box as the crowd in the stadium exploded with cheers. The pitcher would stand on the mound and perform his usual rituals. When he delivered his best pitch, I would be there waiting for it. All of my might would be behind my swing as the ball connected to the sweet spot of my bat. The sound would bring the home fans to their feet with a slow but ever-increasing roar. The ball would sail over the outfield wall, and I’d trot around the bases as multitudes cheered. I prayed back then, ‘Oh, if God would grant me this wish, I’d be the happiest boy alive.'

   The Israelites had wished for a deliverer the likes of Moses who would bring them relief from their oppressors. The last time Israel had heard from a prophet was over 400 years ago. And now this man from Nazareth (Can anything good come out of Nazareth?) is making his way toward Jerusalem. They hesitantly say, ‘He must be the Messiah, the anointed One; the One who would rescue Israel from Roman rule.’ After all, Lazarus has been raised from the dead; the blind received their sight; and the lame are walking. The old prophecies seem to be fulfilled in this one man. The news spreads and the people can’t contain their excitement. At the beginning of this week, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt while the people wave palm branches and shout “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  John 12:13

    The term Hosanna comes from an earlier Hebrew word which means ‘Save’ or in the manner in which it was yelled here means, “Save Now!” In their hearts they wanted an earthly kingdom, but their actual words were asking for a Savior. Imagine the anticipation of the people as the colt made its way closer and closer to the city with its Kingly cargo. The people are bursting with excitement. The disciples are preparing for employment in a Messianic Court. But there would be no earthly throne set up now. Days before, he told his followers 3 times that the ‘Son of Man’ (a term he used for himself) must die, but they still didn’t grasp his meaning.  

   By the end of the week, the religious leaders have incited the crowd to change their tune. The echoes of hosanna are long gone and now they are replaced by an ugly word. They shout, ‘Crucify him!’ But they can’t be serious. No one could perform the miracles that Jesus has done unless he is from God. You can’t possibly want to hang a Jewish rabbi on a tree…that’s a curse! But their cries only get louder. If Jesus wasn’t going to lead in the manner that they wanted, they didn’t want him.

   The words Hosanna and Crucify when you look at their meanings are on two different ends of the spectrum. One has to do with blessing the one coming to save us, and the other is a curse. What many fail to see then and today is that Jesus received the wrath of God the Father in order to save mankind from our greatest enemy…sin. Thus, Jesus by becoming sin (a curse) saved the world.

  “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

   So whether they realized it or not, Hosanna was the right word to use. And as hard as it is to admit, the words, ‘crucify him’ brought the same outcome. God’s plan will happen whether we’re for it or not. Let us never forget that we as followers of Christ have life because Jesus took our death.

   In his song, Ride On To Die, Michael Card writes of Christ’s journey to the cross:
Sense the sorrow untold
As you look down the road
At the clamoring crowd drawing near.
Feel the heat of the day,
As you look down the way;
Hear the shouts of Hosanna the King.

  

Oh, daughter of Zion,
Your time’s drawing near;
Don’t forsake Him. Oh, don’t pass it by.
On the foal of a donkey
As the prophets had said,
Passing by you, He rides on to die.

Soon the thorn-cursed ground
Will bring forth a crown,
And this Jesus will seem to be beaten.
But He’ll conquer alone,
Both the shroud and the stone,
And the prophecies will be completed.

Oh, daughter of Zion,
Your time’s drawing near;
Don’t forsake Him. Oh, don’t pass it by.
On the foal of a donkey
As the prophets had said,
Passing by you, He rides on to die.   

   Thank you God for giving us what we needed even when we thought we were asking for something else.

Do People in Heaven Know What's Happening on Earth?

  If you've ever lost someone close to you, I'm sure this question has come across your mind. Numerous songs have been written and sung affirming the notion that our loved ones indeed know and see what's happening here and now. But is this just a nice sentiment spoken to soothe a grieving heart, or does the Word of God give us any answers? 

  Another question that arises is how can people in heaven be resting and happy, if they're able to see the strife and misery that's going on down here? Wouldn't this take away their joy? Pastor and Author, Randy Alcorn addresses this question below with Greg Laurie. Randy's answer may cause you to look at heaven and joy in a new way.  

  I encourage you to review the Scripture references that he will use in his answer as well. They are the following: Revelation 6:9-11; Luke 15:10; Hebrews 12:1

  I welcome your comments below.