This blog was originally published April 2020 and was updated March 2024.
Getting Started
What are you a fan of? A sports team, an actor/actress, musicals, artists, or something else entirely? A fan is someone who is a supporter, one who is enthusiastically devoted to a person, place, or thing. There are a few things that pull out my inner fandom. One of those things is the San Francisco 49ers. The other is my March Madness bracket, which sadly I didn’t get to participate in this year but my blood pressure is better for it. However, I did get to watch my 49ers rise to greatness this season.
During that Superbowl game my whole family decked out in 49er gear, put together an array of delicious Superbowl snackies, and watched every second of that game with anticipation that they would be taking home the ultimate title. And when they lost, it was heartbreaking! I remember being mad for days, going over the dropped passes and missed opportunities that happened on the field. But despite their loss, let me remind you that they actually won just as many games as the Chiefs this season.
In this passage, we get to witness the ultimate Jesus fan club! I’m not talking about fair-weather Jesus fans. We’re talking paint your face, front row of the 50-yard line fans. Jesus is riding through the streets with people gathered just to see him and celebrate him! They are lying down and waving palm branches as he passes through which is a sign of honor and victorious celebration. They are even chanting “Hosanna” which means “Save!” This was a holy moment of joy, one that preceded his atrocious death.
John 12:12-16
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
Questions to Consider
- What do you notice about the response of the crowd upon Jesus’ arrival?
- From this response, what do you think people understand about who Jesus is?
- If “Hosanna” means “save” what were the people expecting Jesus to save them from?
- In John 12, people are chanting “Hosanna” (John 12:12). In John 19, people are shouting “Crucify” (John 19:6). We see here that some people understood the divinity of Jesus and some people did not. Where do you fall? How do you need to pursue the truth of who Jesus is in your life?
- What do you need Jesus to save you from?
Closing Reflection
In this story we saw an image of a crowd crying out for Jesus to save them. The good news that we now know, is that Jesus is the one who saves. He saves us from our brokenness that keeps us from being in right relationship with God. As we approach Easter Sunday, take time to reflect upon our Savior. How are you longing for a savior this Palm Sunday?
I’d like to leave you with these lyrics that allow us to praise Jesus for who he is as one who saves while also recognizing our need for Him in our life. I know that Jesus can meet you right where you are in your life, right now.
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
Hosanna by Hillsong worship
