Zechariah 9:9-12; Philippians 2:5-11; John 12:12-19
Jesus had made the trip many times before. It was an annual event in His family’s spiritual life and He made the journey to Jerusalem from His earliest years. He continued the habit as an adult and the yearly observance of the Passover was the setting of some of His most contentious ministry, including cleansing the Temple by overturning tables and driving out animals. While there had been a buzz about Jesus attending the Passover in prior years, this year the crowds did not have to speculate. The word went out that Jesus was approaching the city. The significance of Him riding a donkey was not lost on them as they rushed to place palms and garments on the road before Him. Their shouts of “Hosanna!” grew louder as more and more people gathered into the crowds that went before Him and behind Him. The hopes, dreams, and desires fueled by fifteen centuries of Passover observances were given voice as Jesus entered the city for one final Passover in which everything that the Passover had pointed to would become reality. The fanfare, fervor, excitement, noise, and commotion of that moment is captured in a single word: Resound!The primary definition of ‘resound’ is “to become filled with sound.” It describes the joyful sounds of the festive, yet chaotic, scene of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem well. But it’s the secondary definition of ‘resound’ that really captures what was taking place in this curious, yet meaningful, parade: “to make a strong impression or have a great effect on people.” Long after the joyful noise of the crowd had faded, Jesus’ procession into the holy city continued to have a great effect on people — a great effect that continues to this day. This first event of the week that culminated His earthly ministry and ushered in His victory over sin, death, and the grave resounds in us today.
“Resound!” is our calling. While we are blessed to join the loud and festive procession of Jesus to mark the beginning of this Holy Week, we would fall far short of our calling if our resounding fades away like the shouts of the crowd that welcomed Him with their palms and garments and Hosannas. We need to recognize that the resounding to which we are called is that which will have a great effect on the people in our lives. Our resounding of “Hosanna!” today is meant to be echoed in living each day as prisoners who have been freed from “the waterless pit” to joyfully serve our King, righteous and having salvation. In serving Him that which has resounded in our lives resounds in the lives of others and our Hosannas today echo as the loudest and sweetest praise.
Click here to listen to the sermon "Resound!" (or right-click to download the MP3 file).
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