Here in Geneva, my membership is with Geneva Moravian Fellowship. It is a vibrant God-loving, God-fearing ministry of Moravian Christian values with an international ecumenical flavour. While I don’t observe Lent in the typical manner (although the Nougats began as a Lenten practice), I look forward to the Moravian Palm Sunday ‘Hosanna’ anthem. It’s sung in a round, its words derived directly from Scripture, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!’. The song is pure celebration. And though Holy Week takes us into the most profound acts of Y’shua, there is cause to celebrate. For, in Christ, there’s victory over death.
Of course, we could easily have been singing ‘Enter into Jerusalem’, which also conveys the celebratory tone of the time. It’s also biblically based, speaking of everyone having access to the King of Kings by virtue of His royal procession into Jerusalem. In your tradition there may be other anthems or activities which keep you connected to this occasion. It is important for us to celebrate, for we know in Whom we believe. Let’s think about why we celebrate as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Psalms 118:27 CEVDCI
[27] The Lord is our God, and he has given us light! Start the celebration! March with palm branches all the way to the altar.
Let the Praise Begin
Psalm 118 is not quite a typical song of praise. It celebrates the majesty and power of God, Whose might in battle and merciful nature fill us with hope. Nestled within this hope-filled celebration are prophetic words that point to the Messiah’s betrayal and His ultimate victory over the enemy.
In verse 22, we hear of the rejected stone, Y’shua, Who becomes YHWH’s chief stone (see also Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:7 for more on the importance of the chief stone). Verses 25-26 echo the desires of the throng gathered on the road into Jerusalem, as Hosanna translates to ‘Lord, save us’. The worshippers desired YHWH’s intervention over their circumstances, for by YHWH’s power, the blessed one who comes in YHWH’s name would save them.
Self-Check
Are we as aware of YHWH’s power and mercy? Do we call on YHWH’s emissary to save us?
Digging Deeper
It is no wonder therefore to see that our Nougat calls us into acts of celebration. The celebration reflects that which was done for war heroes returning from a victorious battle, or – more appropriately in this context – the coronation of a warrior king.
It is important to remind us here, that Israel in those days was a theocracy. That meant that despite having a human monarch, their head of state was YHWH. Perhaps this explains Saul’s fear when he and David returned victorious from battle with the Philistines, and his kingdom celebrated him AND David. Moreover they gave more honour to David the civilian!
Having already described the Lord’s military prowess, and the ‘easy victory’ over the enemy, celebrating YHWH was the natural response.
Or not.
For an altar is used for sacrifice, not enthronement. The palm branch procession would lead to death, not a throne. The One Who would come in YHWH’s name, He Whom centuries later the people celebrated with palm branches, would be enthroned on His way to His death. The palm branches of celebration might well have been firewood for the altar of sacrifice. Save us equalled Crucify Him!
In saving us, our Prince of Peace had to die. Only then could he truly be the King of Kings. For resurrection is only possible through death. His death on that global altar erected at Calvary for you and me offers life, hope, and liberty.
Life beyond the grave when we yield to His sovereignty.
Hope, because He rose, because He ascended, Y’shua will come again. Freedom from the enemy’s snares, protection from all that worry us, mercy when we fall short of God’s standard, coverage on all sides. Full freedoms in Christ, Who secured victory over the final enemy, death.
Indeed we call on God to save us, and the One Who comes in YHWH’s name is mighty to save.
So grab that piece of cloth, wave the palm branches, for He Who comes for us, is the ascended Son of God.
Point to Ponder
As we (re)read Psalm 118, can we identify the various ways Christ has saved us since being acknowledged as king over our lives?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
