Good morning, friends. Sundays at She Reads Truth are normally Weekly Truth days, where we as a community join in the important practice of memorizing scripture together. We do have a memory verse and lock screen for you today (it’s at the bottom of this post!), but we hope you’ll join us in reading the full passage in Matthew and reflecting on Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Text: Matthew 21:1-11, Revelation 7:9-12
You know what stinks about being human? Being human. We are limited creatures. We only know what we know. Sure, hindsight is 20/20, but when it comes to foresight, we can be blind as bats. We don’t know what’s on the next page until we get there to live it.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:9-12, describes this as “seeing in a mirror dimly.” But, “when perfection comes,” Paul tells us we will see clearly—no longer linear, no longer partial, but complete!
Now picture Jesus, both fully man and fully God, riding through the crowded street that day. He already saw the complete picture—beyond this Triumphal Entry—so He knew what this ride into the capital city really meant. He knew He was riding to His death at the hands of those who waved the palm branches that day.
The people cried “Hosanna”—a shout of adoration that was also the Hebrew word meaning “Oh, save now!” or “Please save!”.
Only Jesus knew the gravity of what the crowd was asking when they cried to Him, “Save us!” And He rode on. He knew what had been and what was to come, and in love and obedience, He rode on.
I wonder if, from His seat on that donkey, Jesus thought back to His mother Mary. She journeyed on a donkey, too, toward the most hope-filled moment the world has ever known. And here He was, riding toward the darkest moment in human history. Did He think back to her?
Or maybe Jesus thought forward to that blessed day John describes in Revelation 7, when we will stand before Him in white robes as His Bride—all nations and tribes and colors and generations—waving palm branches once again, proclaiming that our salvation indeed comes from Him!
We don’t know; the Bible doesn’t tell us. He certainly knew all these things as He rode through the adoring crowds that day. And while it’s true we can’t know for sure what’s coming tomorrow or the next day the way Jesus can, we can confidently shout “Hosanna! Save us!” today, knowing He will and He did.
Hosanna in the highest! Salvation belongs to our God.
We believe memorizing scripture is one of the best ways to carry the Word of our God with us wherever we go—to have God-breathed truth, instruction and reproof in our hearts and minds as we live unto Him each day.
This week we’ve chosen the crowd’s shout of worship and cry for salvation as Jesus rode into Jerusalem that Palm Sunday:
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
– Matthew 21:9b, ESV
Write this verse down—copy it twenty time if that helps! Post it on your mirror or at your desk, in your car or on the fridge—anywhere you’ll see it often. Save the image below as your phone’s lock screen so you can read these words of truth throughout the day.
We want to be a community that is intentional about scripture memorization. Will you join us?
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39 thoughts on "Hosanna!"
Now picture Jesus, both fully man and fully God, riding through the crowded street that day. He already saw the complete picture—beyond this Triumphal Entry—so He knew what this ride into the capital city really meant.
Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the Highest!!!
They called for Him to save them from the Romans, to be their king. He saved us all from something so much greater.
For this moment he came into the world. To bring light to darkness. To defeat death. To bring life! There was no other way, than what the Father had purposed from the beginning. We’ve never known such love.
Amen Steph, and what a blessed people we are to have received and known such a Love…x
hosanna, Lord Jesus!
oh, save me now Jesus!
please save me from myself for you alone are worthy of all praise and honor and glory. amen.
Our Pastor Brad also spoke about the meaning of the Hebrew word “Hosanna” today, so I was able to tell my well-Bibled husband that I already knew it meant “Save Now!” from your writing!
Blessed are they who trust in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
It’s crazy that Jesus knew his fate yet had the courage to go on. His love astounds me in new ways every day
He knew what was coming and he rode on. He knew that these cheers of praise would evolve into mocking jeers within a week, and He rode on. He knew that those who worshipped Him would betray and crucify Him, and He rode on. What love.
Grateful for this community, sisters. Asking for prayers today. Fighting for joy in some dark circumstances. Blessings on your Sunday.
Katie,
Prayed for you just now and will continue to pray for strength and the assurance of His Presence with you throughout this week. You are not alone, sister!!
praying for you now that you can see His light in the midst of darkness – may you know His comfort and peace that only comes from His Truth. hugs to you!!
Praying for you
Praying for you ksb, know His peace, know His love, For such a time as this….is why He rode on…sending you a hug from a cold and windy England…x
Jesus, your Mother rose a donkey getting ready to deliver You and you rode a donkey getting ready to deliver us. How thankful I am that you rode that humble journey. You died that I may live. Perhaps this is why we will constantly sing praises in Heaven.
Running in pursuit of what matters. ✝
Psalm 37:4 ❤️
One of my issues is looking around to what others are doing. I focus on what he’s doing with her. What she’s doing with him. What who is saying about who, what, and where. And I’m tired of it. I’m tired of looking around and seeing other (imperfect, flawed, immature) people. How am I even focusing on them? How do they even know that what they are doing is wrong if they too aren’t following The One Who IS Perfect. Idk sometimes. What I do know is I need to keep my eyes locked on Jesus. Only then will true joy, peace, happiness, rest, and love come in. Stop focusing on what was and is. Focus on The One Who KNOWS what’s to come!
Father, you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank you thank you thank you. You never change! You stay the same! Your heart and passion for your people burns the same as it did when you were riding on a colt to Jerusalem. Praise be to God for your commitment, compassion and mercy on broken sinful people like us. God be praised. Hosanna in the highest!
As I was walking to the church today (more like, taking the baby for a walk in the direction of the church which had already started, oh well) I discovered there was a marathon run in our city today and it passed the street I walked. There were lots of runners and quite a lot of people standing on the sidelines, watching and cheering them on. It struck me that they do not even realize what day it is…and then I felt it was not just them – who am I cheering for? Who do I worship? Jesus or people, succes, myself? And just like the people today and back then when Jesus entered Jerusalem had different motivation to be there, what is mine? Is it love or habit and doing what everyone else does?
Lenka your comment is so moving. “Who am I cheering for?” “who do I worship?” I find myself daily struggling to stay focused and to worship the Lord. I become so often consumed with the wants of this world: money, success, beauty, popularity, etc., that I loose site of what is truly my ultimate goal. To be welcomed into the kingdom of God with the Saints and Angels before me! Help me Lord Jesus today to be focused on the truth. May I know it when I hear it and may I not be afraid to proclaim it.
As I was walking to the church today (more like, taking the baby for a walk in the direction of the church which had already started, oh well) I discovered there was a marathon run in our city today and it passed the street I walked. There were lots of runners and quite a lot of people standing on the sidelines, watching and cheering them on. It struck me that they do not even realize what day it is…and then I felt it was not just them – who am I cheering for? Who do I worship? Jesus or people, succes, myself? And just like the people today and back then when Jesus entered Jerusalem had different motivation to be there, what is mine? Is it love or habit and doing what everyone else does?
Have a blessed Sunday!
After reading this morning I started talking to my daughter (9 months old) about Palm Sunday. I know she’s very young but I still wanted to talk to her about it and we often pray out loud together. As I was verbalizing how Jesus came to Jerusalem and that he rode on even though he knew certain death lay ahead I started praying in gratitude. I felt such a weight of sharing the story with my daughter but also for myself. My sins seemed heavier, my neediness for Him more desperate, and my heart humbled in thankfulness for the sacrifice. Our lives are lived in freedom because He rode on. Thank you Lord.
I love that the author wonders what Jesus was thinking as he rode the donkey and the parallels between His birth and forward to Revelation. In big moments I always wonder what goes through the mind as a person experiences them. I think a big part of Jesus heart was solemn knowing what was to come while another was joyful because He knew it would fulfill another part of God’s plan.
From Istanbul…Thank you for this truth today. I especially loved the parallel passage in Revelation and picturing people from every tongue and tribe and nation dressed in white robes with palm branches in hand, declaring, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Amen!! One day soon this will be our reality…what a glorious day that will be!
Palm Sunday has always been a day that I kind of squint threw. It's painful to imagine the scene, knowing full well what happens afterwards. Especially with the understanding that Jesus was fully comprehending the "gravity" of the situation. I have often pondered Jesus' thoughts, but have never considered Him thinking back to the journey His mother took. That is beautiful to consider. One of the things that always sticks with me is the human failings then that are still so prevalent today. One moment believing in Jesus and salvation somehow through Him and the next willing to give Him over and even begging for His death. We're so easily influenced by the nay sayers and skeptics of this world and by our circumstances. We are willing to walk side by side waving palms for Christ, but the moment life throws us a curve ball are we still as on board or in our doubt, fear and frustrations are we withdrawing our palms? I am thankful that God doesn't overwhelm us with the full picture of our lives, but instead gently brings the life and knowledge of Jesus into our hearts so that we may come to know Him. So that our focus can remain one moment, one day at a time on Christ and not our impending situations or ourselves. Praise God for the benefit of hindsight, the continued mercies He allows in our forever learning and for Christ's peaceful arrival into that city and into our hearts! ~ B
Amen!
“Hosanna, to the Son of David!” The people had prayed for a savior! They thought he was going to save them! Their vision of salvation was so very different than God’s they wanted a political savior and when they saw Jesus riding into Jerusalem as David’ son, Solomon, had they were overjoyed! They didn’t see the big picture! They needed a Savior to save them for eternity! Thank you Father for seeing the big picture when my vision is so limited. Help me to rely on you when doubts fill me. Help me to shout “Hosanna! Not just in praise but also as prayer to save me!
Amen..Sis…x
if we knew the future like Jesus did I’m not so sure we would be willing to ride on. This is truly the gray area in between, but believing in him we can move through it. Thank you Jesus!
He knew, yet He rode on. Thank You!
How much more do we need to know….We are loved beyond beyond….Amen…x
Jesus knew what the future held, yet He obeyed. It is hard for me to obey in the daily; I can only imagine how I would wrestle with God if I knew the difficulties I might face in the future! In His mercy, He gives me one moment at a time. Lord, help me follow the example of the two disciples in Bethphage: "The disciples went and did as Jesus directed them."
This morning, I opened the devotional just praying for God to meet and speak to me – desperate. I had had another night terror about my brother, who is training to become a marine and will be graduating soon. In my dream, I had cried out in desperation to God, screamed at him about the circumstances and felt like he wasn't there. But I read this devo, tears flooding my eyes, know that God HAD met me here today. And that he always will.
"And while it's true that we can't know for sure what's coming tomorrow or the next day he way Jesus can., we can confidently shout "Hosanna! Save us!" Today, knowing he will and he did"
Amen!
Alli- I have a son in the Air Force and I allowed in the beginning the enemy to fill me with worry and fear. But at some point I begin to pray specifically for my son, for the people around him, for the places he would go. And God heard me and hears me gives me peace in answering. He has placed my son around people who love God, placed people in restaurants that have kept him company and paid for his dinner. The list of what God has done is amazing and endless. And we’ve been blessed. I would encourage you to pray specifically for your brother and for peace for you. Gods promises are true. Praying for both of you.
Thanks so much!!
"he knew the gravity ( … )and yet he rode on" … wow … that really sunk in deep! I love the picture that paints … all the crowds, faces, voices calling and shouting and the celebrations and yet he knew that he was riding deep into something that was painful beyond words yet needed to be done because he loves us. Thank you for sharing this … I will cradle this thought in my heart as i get ready for church this morning. With love from Germany!
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever!!!
Love the description of reality not being linear. We as flesh have limited sensory abilities. Two of those limits being space and time. But the spirit of Christ in us does not have those limitations. We are both fully redeemed and holy AND being made holy at the same time. KNOW WHO YOU ARE – FULLY RIGHTEOUS ONLY BECAUSE OF CHRIST. Remember who you are when Satan tries to attack. You have been bought, ransomed, redeemed, made holy, and fully loved by Father.