This Easter week I have been reflecting on the word Hosanna. It is a Hebrew word that means "Save!" and is also an expression of praise.
On the day we call Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, the foal of a donkey. The Jews welcomed him with palms and cloaks thrown down on the road that he traveled, and they shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!" (Matt. 21:10)
The Jews were looking for the Messiah, for someone who could free them and be their king. They were calling to Jesus, but they did not realize that He WAS their Messiah, to save them from their sins instead of from Roman rule.
This week as I study the Easter message, I think of the word Hosanna in relation to the missions mandate that remains. My prayer is "Hosanna! God may you SAVE the nations!" Until every tribe and tongue and nation is represented before God's throne, there is still need to pray for their salvation.
Christ's work was completed at the Resurrection. He made a way for us to be saved. He came to save the nations. Continue to pray that His name would reach the ends of the earth, and that salvation will come to all nations.