Childlike faith is something we should all strive for.
Yesterday, we celebrated Palm Sunday at our church, just as many churches did around the world. It’s the beginning of Holy Week that ends with the celebration of Easter. I’ve been in churches where the children walk in carrying palm branches and somehow we always sing a song with, Hosanna in it.
After church, out of mere curiosity, I did a little research an the term Hosanna, because I never knew what it meant.
The word hosanna was only used one time in the Old Testament. It can be found in Psalm 118:25. The root word in Hebrew is hoshiya na. It means, “Save us or deliver us.” Over the years, it’s meaning changed to, “Salvation or deliverance has come.”
The Book of Matthew tells us When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds were shouting, “Hosanna!” and placing their cloaks on the ground as well as cutting branches for Jesus, who was riding on donkey to walk on. Jesus didn’t stop. He went straight to the temple where he first, drove the money changers out because they were not there for any type of holy pursuit.
But, right after he cleared out those who were there for the wrong reasons, He welcomed those who came to Him with needs. He healed the blind and the lame. Apparently it didn’t take physical sight to know that salvation had come and those who sought Him out that day were healed.
But, as the healing went on, there were children shouting, “Hosanna!” in the temple courts.
I am always astonished at how the Holy Spirit uses children to speak to us, when we take the time to really listen. The voice of a young child can both praise and convict us. It’s as if babies are born with the wisdom and faith of heaven that they lose a little bit of with each passing year. It usually takes years of prayer, worship, and study to get it back.
On that particular day, I don’t know whether they were begging for salvation or giving thanks for it. I suspect they were giving thanks and if so, how did they know? How did young children know that they were in the presence of salvation when the religious people in charge, had no clue?
Jesus had already told His disciples, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
Palm Sunday reminds me of the importance of childlike faith. As Christians, we don’t live by sight. We sometimes forget that. The blind sought Jesus even thought they couldn’t see Him. It also reminds me that Jesus is still in the healing business. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂