Across the Pastor’s Desk by Mark Boorsma

Church people probably have heard the story so many times, they miss the comedy. Jesus rides “triumphantly” into Jerusalem … on a donkey. Not exactly the kind of impressive military parade a conquering king would usually present. But the curious scene echoes a verse from the Hebrew Bible (Zechariah 9:9) that says, “Rejoice greatly, Fair Zion! Raise a shout, Fair Jerusalem! Lo, your king is coming to you. He is victorious, triumphant, yet humble, riding on an ass, on a donkey foaled by a she-ass.”

Mark’s Gospel (11:7-10) reports: “Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

This scene gets remembered, and sometimes re-enacted, by Christians on the Sunday often called Palm Sunday — this year on March 25 (April 1 for Eastern Orthodox Christians). It is customary to walk in procession and wave palm branches as a way to deeply identify with Jesus and his entry into the central mystery of death and resurrection.

What do you suppose “Hosanna” means? From its context here most Christians will guess incorrectly that it means something like “praise.” Nor will they recognize its appearance in Psalm 118:25, since in English translation it becomes “Save us, we beseech you!” “Hosanna” is not a shout of praise, but a hope-filled prayer, cried out by people who dare to imagine that Jesus is a savior — one who can rescue us, even from ourselves. This Sunday, come to a church of your choice, grab a palm branch and join the prayer parade!

Mark Boorsma is the pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.