There is nothing like the feeling of a warm reception upon arrival. If you are a dog lover, you know exactly what I mean—when you come home after a long day and your four-legged canine friend is waiting at the door with tail wagging and yelps of joy bellowing throughout the room, just waiting to jump on you with slobbering licks of excitement. Or, better yet, the front entryway filled with cheers and warm greetings from family and friends after returning home from being away for many days. Ah yes… the sea of hugs, kisses, and laughter, especially from the kiddos. 

In Matthew 21, we see how Jesus was also greeted in a very memorable way. His royal entrance into Jerusalem was cheered and welcomed with excitement and anticipation.

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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 21:8-9 NIV)!

This was quite the entry. What a fantastic way to welcome the Messiah, by shouting, “Hosanna!” (Save us!) and “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” The kids also played a critical role in Jesus’ claim to deity: 

But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,  ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’” (Matthew 21:15-16, Ref. Psalm 8:2)?

How comforting to read the Bible and find repetitive phrases and ideas that cross over from the Old Testament to the New Testament. We see these important welcoming proclamations elsewhere in Scripture:

LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD, we bless you (Psalm 118:25-26).

Question. So, what does this have to do with me? As we (followers of Jesus) eagerly anticipate the return of our Savior for His second coming, we can encourage Israel and the entire world to joyfully proclaim, “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” 

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’” (Matthew 23:37-39).

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.