The God of Miracles

Welcome to the beginning of Holy Week as we seek the Lord for this time in our lives.  

Today, let's look at Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and find encouragement from God's Word.

Matthew 21:9:

“The crowds that went before Him and that followed Him were shouting ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

John 12:13:

 “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’”

I want to point out that 'Hosanna' is a word used in the scriptures for two specific purposes. 

In Psalm 118:25, it means, “Please Lord, save us. Please, Lord, give us success”.

In the New Testament, from Matthew 21:9, The word was used for Jesus’ triumphant entrance to Jerusalem as King. Listen again to Verse 9, “Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, ‘Praise God (hosanna) for the Son of David!’ Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God (hosanna) in highest heaven!”

This use of Hosanna was used as a proclamation of a new salvation.

It is interesting to note that there are two completely different uses for the word “hosanna." One use is pleading for help, while the other is showing heart-felt praise and gratitude for what God has done. They perfectly represent two places of spiritual well-being we all find ourselves in. We are either crying out to God for help, or we are thanking God for what He has done for us.

Which use of Hosanna are you using today?   Like me, you likely are praying the use of the word to mean “Please Lord, save us”.  After all, God has shown through Jesus that He is quite willing to perform miracles and He has proved that He is most able to do so.  I suggest that we do pray for God to save us from the Covid-19 virus. Pray for yourselves, pray for your family and friends. Pray for those who are presently ill, pray for those who grieve the loss of loved ones and for those in isolation.  And pray for the world. Yes, Lord Jesus, save us.

Perhaps today, we may be saying, please Lord, save us.   But my encouragement for you today, is for us to also use the second use of Hosanna, praising Him for what He has already done for us.  As we begin Holy week, let’s acknowledge that God has provided a miracle through Jesus.  Jesus is that miracle through his gift of salvation, by way of the cross and his resurrection.   In John 10:10, Jesus told his followers, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

The miracle is not only that God became one of us.... but that God also understands our fears, anxieties and grief.  He hears us call out 'please Lord save us' and he also hears our statement of faith, 'praise the Lord for He has brought us salvation.'  Jesus told us that He has come to give us life... of peace, joy, love and hope and the fullness of life that leads to life with God forever.

If you know the chorus of Because He lives, 

let it be an inspiration for you as we journey in isolation/together.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living, just because He lives

Next Post
Good Friday
"THE MIRACLE OF THE VEIL"