Emmanuel: A 4-Day Devotional With Chris TomlinSýnishorn

All The World Awaits (Hosanna)

“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” Matthew 21:9 (NIV)

The announcement of Christmas began with a song: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). But did you know that the story of Easter also began with a song?

Matthew 21 captures the story. This chapter in the Bible describes what most Christians refer to as Palm Sunday — days before Jesus would be arrested and killed and a week before His incredible resurrection. Just as Jesus arrived on the scene in an unforeseen way as a tiny baby, He entered Jerusalem in an unexpected way as well. He rode in on a donkey as people lined the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Miracle Maker. They stood all along the route, waving palm branches and singing, “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

The song stirred up the whole city, and those who didn’t yet believe asked who He was. In verse 11, “The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’”

Jesus wasn’t simply a “prophet,” He was the One the world had waited for — the Messiah Isaiah had foretold long ago:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

The people had waited centuries for the very One they were seeing with their own eyes, yet when they beheld Him, some of them still didn’t connect the promise prophesied to the promise fulfilled. They didn’t know the humble “prophet” riding on a donkey was indeed the same Messiah Isaiah referenced.

I pray we would be people who believe in the Word of God. When He speaks, I hope we’re listening. When we see His promises kept in our own lives — even in unexpected ways — I hope we realize that God was right there with us all along.

I pray this Christmas, we recognize the presence of Jesus every time He passes by. And I hope our song is one of ultimate praise and adoration as our “Gloria” turns into a resounding “Hosanna.”