“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

This Sunday marks the final week of the Lenten season, the 40 day period leading up to Easter. Today we celebrate the holy day of feasting  known as Palm Sunday. The celebration of Palm Sunday commemorates Christ’s entry into the City of Jerusalem. As Jesus arrives in the city, he is met by a large crowd of people waving palm branches in the air and laying them at his feet. They cry out to Him saying: “Hosanna! Hosanna, in the highest heaven!”

The word Hosanna is used in this passage as a shout of praise, much like the word Hallelujah. However, where Hallelujah literally means “praise be to God” the word Hosanna is translated as to save or rescue. So what appears in this story as a shout of praise, is actually a cry for help. As we celebrate Palm Sunday in the midst of a global pandemic, we confidently cry out to God and with expectant hearts, we trust that He will hear us.

What is the cry of your heart today?

How will you wait with an expectant heart?