Have you ever felt like you were drowning? Maybe it has literally (almost) happened to you when you were out swimming on some occasion. However, it is more likely that you have experienced times when you felt like you were drowning emotionally, spiritually, financially or politically. These oppressions are real. They tend to close in on us and make us feel helpless. It is in these moments of distress that we call out for help. As desperation sets in and our need to be rescued intensifies, there is a growing and immediate need for someone to save us. This was the state of the people in Jerusalem on that first “Palm Sunday” nearly 2000 years ago in Jerusalem.

The Roman political leaders were oppressive. The Pharisaical spiritual leaders were controlling and hypocritical. It was no wonder that those who encountered Jesus’ teaching and ministry were refreshed and given new hope. They had seen Him take on these spiritual leaders and rebuke their ways. They had witnessed His care for the poor, His healing of the blind, and His raising of Lazarus from the dead. As He entered Jerusalem for what would be His last week of ministry on earth, it is understandable that they were welcoming Him as their hero and king. They wanted to see Him take on the establishment and free them from their overlords. Many believed that He was the Messiah that God had promised to set things right again.

All of these factors contributed to why they cried out “Hosanna” that day. We often have the kids wave their palms in Sunday School and call out “Hosanna” with the mistaken view that this is just a simple word of praise to Jesus. However, this English word comes directly from the Greek and the Greek word, in turn, is actually a transliteration of two Hebrew words. “Hosanna” can be translated as: “We beseech you to save us” or simply “Save us now!” It was a desperate cry for immediate intervention from the only Savior who could help them from their plight.

Have you gotten to such a desperate place in your life where you have found the need to cry out “Hosanna”? While the people were incorrect about Jesus’ political intentions, they were right about one thing – Jesus Christ is the only Savior who can help us from our plight. We are all born into sin and that sin has a penalty that requires God’s wrath to be poured out upon us. However, when we call out “Hosanna” or “Save me now!” to Jesus Christ, He hears our call and offers us redemption from that penalty for sin. He promises to save all who call upon Him (Romans 10:13).

What about those who have already called out in faith and received Christ as their Savior? There may be times when you need help from the oppression, the difficult circumstances of life, or the distress of your situation. In those times, you can still call out “Hosanna!” to the Lord. He hears you, He cares for you, and He wants you to have a life full of His goodness and abundance. (John 10:10)

What about those who are weary of the depravity in our world, the lost values and truth in our culture, and the wickedness of our political system? These things are all bigger than us. They are things beyond our control. The media can easily make us feel discouraged, overwhelmed and hopeless by what we see. Yet, even in these cultural and political things that are larger than us, we can call out “Hosanna!” to the one who is King of kings and Lord of lords. Our God is sovereign today and has a plan to make all things right in the future. The end of the story has already been written. And in those last verses of the last book of the Bible He confirms for us this truth: “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (Revelation 22:20-21). So, keep shouting “Hosanna! Save us now!” The Lord hears your cry and you can be sure that your salvation draweth nigh.