God's answer to our hosanna | Rev. Cariño Casas

Palm Sunday -- Year A

This week's lectionary readings:

Liturgy of the Palms
Matthew 21:1–11
Psalm 118:19–29

Liturgy of the Word
Isaiah 52:13–53:12
Psalm 22:1–21
Philippians 2:5–11
Matthew 26:36–27:66

On Palm Sunday, we join the crowds in Jerusalem crying out a very specific, short prayer: "Hosanna," which means, "Please, come save us!" But as we look at the readings from the Liturgy of the Palms to the Passion of our Lord, we discover that how God answers that prayer rarely looks like what we expect.

In this sermon from Grace Anglican Church, we explore the deep expectations of the Jewish people living under Roman oppression. They were waiting for a conquering king like David—someone to overthrow their "foreign bullies." When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, he was deliberately fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9, signaling that the King had indeed arrived.

However, Jesus knew God’s plan was broader and deeper than a simple political revolution. Drawing from the "Servant Songs" of Isaiah, we see a radical twist:

The Mission Expanded: The Servant was not only called to regather Israel but to be a "light for the nations," saving even the oppressors and bringing them into the family of God.

The Priest and the Sacrifice: In Isaiah 52 and 53, we find that this King is also a High Priest who "sprinkles" the nations—not with water, but with his own blood to cleanse us from sin.

The Great Exchange: The victory was won not through a warrior’s sword, but through the "folly" of a servant King who laid down his crown to be pierced for our crimes and crushed for our sins.

As we enter Holy Week, we are invited to confront our own sinfulness—our pride, our hypocrisy, and our indifference to injustice—and look upon the one we have pierced. Will you believe the report? Will you believe that the King of Glory has called you "friend" and has provided the fountain for your washing?

Reflect this week:
"God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, but his thoughts and actions are always communicating that he loves us and wants us to be with him."

#PalmSunday #HolyWeek #Hosanna #Isaiah53 #SufferingServant #PassionSunday #Anglican #Gospel

Learn more about Grace Anglican Church Edgeworth at http://edgeworthanglican.com.

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