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2007 Mark’s Gospel Lecture 30

HOSANNA!
Mark 11:1-11
Key Verse 11:9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
Last week we learned the faith of one blind beggar named Bartimaeus. He believed that
Jesus is the Son of David, the promised Messiah. He did not give up seeking Jesus’ mercy in
spite of many hindrances. Jesus was pleased with his faith and restored his sight saying, “Go,
your faith has healed you!”
Today’s passage is about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. It is also known as the Triumphal
Entry. When a VIP enter’s Delhi the cavalcade consists of at least a couple of cars in the front
and back with arm guards. All traffic gets blocked in that route and police men stand guard
everywhere with red alert. Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. How was his entry to
Jerusalem? How did the people welcome him?
I. The Lord needs it (1-6)
Look at verse 1a. As Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem progressed, he and the disciples
came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. This Passover, Jesus was going to
Jerusalem to be the Lamb of God to die the redemptive death on the cross for all mankind. The
villages Bethphage and Bethany were approximately two miles east of Jerusalem at the slopes of
Mount of Olives.
There what did Jesus command his disciples? Look at verses 1b and 2. “Jesus sent two of
his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will
find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.” Jesus gave a
mission to two of his disciples. The mission was to bring a specific colt from the village ahead,
about which Jesus described to them. A colt is a male donkey up to the age of four or five. Jesus
had not visited the village yet, but he knew about the location and personal condition of the
donkey. Jesus also knew what question the people would ask his disciples. So he prepared them
with the answer. Look at verse 3. “If anyone asks you, `Why are you doing this?' tell him, `The
Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'"
What was the disciple’s response? Look at verse 4a. “They went and found a colt outside
in the street, tied at a doorway.” Was it is easy to obey Jesus’ command? It was not, because it
looked like Jesus was asking them to steal someone’s property. They could be easily
misunderstood as donkey thieves and even be beaten and handed over the police. But when they
showed an absolute obedience and went they found the colt as Jesus had told them. Who is Jesus
who knows even a seemingly insignificant animal? Who is Jesus who knows what is going to
happen at the next moment? John 1:3 talks about who Jesus is. “Through him all things were
made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” Jesus is the Creator God. All things
were created by Him and for Him (Col 1:6). He not only knows what is going to happen in our
life, he also prepares us for the future when we humbly listen to him and obey him.
What happened as the disciples tried to bring the colt? Look at verses 4b-6. “As they
untied it, some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt? They
answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.” The disciples did not seek the
peoples’ permission or express an apology for taking the donkey. They spoke what Jesus taught
them already and the people let them go. In this way through absolute obedience they could
experience the power of Jesus’ word and success in their mission.
What can we learn here? Especially in verse 3b Jesus said, “The Lord needs it…” ‘The
Lord needs it’ means Jesus wanted to use the donkey. The donkey seemed to be someone’s
possession in the world. But now the Lord, the Creator and real owner needs it and wants to use
it now. The donkey in this passage became the most blessed donkey in the whole world. Why? It
was because Jesus chose to use it. Wherever the gospel is preached the donkey in this passage is
also mentioned. Here we learn that to be chosen by Jesus is the most blessed life. Jesus chose his
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twelve disciples to use them for the gospel ministry. Since they obeyed when Jesus needed them
they became the most blessed people. We remember how Jesus called a selfish and lonely tax
collector Levi with his word, “Come, follow me.” Jesus chose this seemingly useless guy and
when Levi obeyed and followed he could be changed into St Matthew. Jesus also needs us now.
When Jesus uses us for the gospel ministry we live a truly blessed life. Especially Jesus wants to
make us shepherds and Bible teachers for the wandering campus students to bless them.
The Lord is the Creator and Owner of our life too. Jesus gave us life and when the time
comes he takes it from everymen. We are not the owner of our life, but we are the stewards. We
are also not the owner of our money, job, children, health and time. Usually we have the desire
to do something according our wishes. For example someone wants to use his time only for his
study or job. Someone wants to use his money only for his family’s necessity. Someone wants to
use his marriage only for his pleasure. But someday we will have to give an account of our life
and possessions to Jesus who is the real owner. If this Lord wants to use our life and possessions
now, how shall we respond? We learned here that when the Lord wants to use it we have to offer
to the Lord without withholding.
Dr John Angam was brought up in a poor family. He used only one trouser during his
school days. When he came to JNU for his MA studies, his eager hope was to become a school
teacher at his hometown and restore his family’s financial condition. But he heard Jesus’ voice to
make him a source of blessing for campus students in India and throughout the world. When he
denied his own plan and submitted to the Lord, God blessed him as fruitful shepherd and
missionary. God also blessed him to be a professor shepherd in Delhi University and established
his beautiful house church with sheps Julie. Now God is using him and his family as source of
blessings for Ethiopian campus students.
II. King of Humbleness and Peace (7-8)
Look at verse 7-8. “When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he
sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut
in the fields.” The disciples spread their cloaks on the colt for Jesus to be seated on the colt.
Then many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread palm branches they had
cut in the fields. Spreading once cloak symbolizes loyalty shown to the king and palm branches
symbolize victory. They people paid royal homage to Jesus who was entering Jerusalem as a
king.
But why did Jesus need to ride a donkey? In fact, to imagine Jesus riding on a donkey
looks funny. Especially in India riding on a donkey may seem insulting. Jesus could have chosen
the best chariot and horses for him. Then why did Jesus chose to ride on a donkey? It was to
fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah concerning the Messiah. Zechariah 9:9 says, “Rejoice greatly,
O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and
having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Jesus wanted to
fulfill the word of God through this event. His entering to Jerusalem riding on a donkey shows
that he is the Promised Messiah.
Jesus riding on a donkey also tells what kind of king he is. Donkey is a symbol of peace
while horse is the symbol of war. Jesus who rode on a donkey is the king of peace and
humbleness. His other name is the Prince of Peace. Worldly kings rule with soldiers and
weapons. But Jesus the King of peace rules with peace and love. We can easily approach this
humble king and meet him. When we are ruled by Jesus he gives us peace that overcomes all
sufferings and difficulties of this world.
Once shepherd Robert was a sorrowful and angry young man. When he was studying in
the college, his hostel mates were afraid of him. The college authority sent letter to his parents
saying “Your son is involved in conspiracy to beat fellow students.” Here in JNU when he
studied the Bible he could meet Jesus who gave him real peace. When he was ruled by Jesus he
was changed into a peaceful and loving shepherd. Earlier people were afraid to come near him.
But now many precious brothers from JNU are following him.
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III. Hosanna! (9-11)

How did the people welcome Jesus? Let us read verses 9. “Those who went ahead and
those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
The people shouted “Hosanna!” as they participated in Jesus’ procession. What does “Hosanna!”
mean? Hosanna is the Greek word whose equivalent Hebrew word ‘hosi ah na’ means ‘O save
us now.’ They believed that Jesus came to save them. What did the people want to be saved
from? Outwardly the people wanted to be saved from many things such as poverty, sickness etc.
Especially they had been subjected to oppressive Roman ruling, heavy tax, merciless decrees
etc. When Jesus entered as a king, the people believed that Jesus would surely defeat the Roman
ruling and bring freedom. So they shouted, “Hosanna!--Save us now.” “He who comes in the
name of the Lord” means the one who is sent by God as the promised Messiah with God’s
authority and power.
Look at verse 10, they also shouted, "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father
David!" "Hosanna in the highest!" The kingdom of David was the model of the Messiah’s
kingdom promised in the Bible. This shows that the people were eagerly expecting Jesus to
become their king and establish the promised Messianic kingdom.
The people believed that Jesus was the Promised Messiah. But they did not know what
Jesus must do as the Messiah. They did not know that Jesus must suffer and die on the cross as
the Messiah. Jesus’ very purpose of coming to this world was to suffer and die on the cross to
save men from their sin and judgment. In this fallen world all men are groaning for salvation.
But many a time we do not know what we really need. Like the people, we also think that our
problem is a study, job problem, financial problem, marriage problem, poverty, sickness etc. So
we cry for God’s help to save us from these problems. But what we really need is salvation from
our sin so that we may live a bright and hopeful life. Our soul cries to God to save us from the
sins of lust, hatred, jealousy, pride etc. Our soul cries out to God ‘Hosanna!’ to save us from our
sin. When we cry for salvation, Jesus hears our cry and gives us forgiveness of sin and makes us
children of God. Only when our sins are forgiven and our relationship with God is restored, we
can live a truly happy and joyful life. That is why Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem to die on the cross is
called the Triumphal Entry. Today may God help us to open our hearts and invite Jesus to come
and save us from our sins to live a truly happy and joyful life.
Look at verse 11. “Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at
everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.” After
entering Jerusalem, Jesus first went to the temple. People might have expected him to go to the
Roman governor palace or King Herod’s palace. Jesus went to the temple to pray and have
fellowship with God. This also shows that Jesus’ kingdom is not a political kingdom but a
spiritual kingdom.
Before I met Jesus I suffered from my sins of lust and guilty conscience. I tried to solve
my sin problem by studying hard and performing puja. However nothing could save me from the
burden of sin and guilty conscience. But through Bible study I met Jesus whom God sent as my
Savior. When I cried to Jesus, “Lord Jesus, save my from my sins” and accepted his death on the
cross, I could receive the grace of forgiveness and begin a new life. I could also hear campus
students like me groaning for salvation and decided to serve them as a shepherd so that they also
may get the salvation grace in Jesus. I thank Jesus who heard the groaning of my soul and came
to save me.
In conclusion, Jesus is the Creator and Owner of our life and possessions. Jesus wants to
use our life and possessions and give the most blessed life. Jesus is also the King of peace and
King of salvation. Let us open our heart widely and welcome Jesus to save us from our sins and
to give us the wonderful salvation grace. May God also help us to hear the groaning of many
campus souls and help them to meet Jesus the king of salvation.