Flash Forth



Luke 19:28-40
28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.



Palm Sunday conjures up the use of one word – Hosanna! The only time we find this word used in the entire Bible is in 3 of the four Gospels as the events of what we now call Palm Sunday are told. In fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the back of donkey colt for He is the true King. The people gather to greet Him because by this point He is famous. He is the One who can provide food where there is none. He is the One who can heal the lame and blind. He is the One who casts out demons with a mere word. He is the One who actually raises people from the dead! So the people gather, waving palm branches and laying their cloaks down on the path before Him. And while He passes, they shout “Hosanna!” The reason we don’t use this word very much in our own worship is because it really doesn’t mean very much. It simply means “save.” These people were looking at the One who could indeed save them from eternal destruction, but they were interesting in being saved from other things – like famine, sickness, and the rule of tyrants.



Today when we want to worship our God, we use words like Alleluia and Praise. Now these are strong words! Psalm 106:1a says, “Praise the Lord!” Alleluia could also be put into that sentence, as the two words are the same in the Hebrew. The actual definition is the fascinating point for the day. “Praise the Lord” and “Hallelujah” actually mean FLASH FORTH the Name of Yahweh! Now that’s some action for you. It gives brings up images of lightning; that sudden bursting forth of energy and power that is found in the Name of God. In Genesis 1:3 describes the creation of light this way. “And God said, ‘Let there be light,” and there was light.” The word for “let there be” is Yahweh! He uses His own name to flash forth the creation of the world. It’s a fantastic picture.



So on Palm Sunday, while the kids are waving their palms (or you're trying to artfully fold your palm frond into the shape of a cross) and shouting “Hosanna!” you can smile and realize that we truly do have a God who saves and is worthy of so much praise and shouted Hallelujahs!

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