DCLM Daily Manna 16 January 2021 – Hosanna, The Greatest Prayer Ever
Topic: Hosanna, The Greatest Prayer Ever
Text: Mark 11:1-11 (KJV)
1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.
7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
Key Verse: “And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Mark 11:9).
MESSAGE:
Sometimes, we have a misguided mental picture of who God is and what He must do for us. We speak as if He were a man, duty-bound to answer all our prayers the way we expect. Some people even think that they are at liberty to claim whatever they name. And when God does not meet their expectations, they become disappointed, disturbed and might even begin to blaspheme Him.
This was the experience of the multitude that had gathered for the feast of Passover on this eventful final week of Christ’s public ministry on earth. The Jews had come to Jerusalem from all over the world for the festival. And without doubt, many had heard of Jesus, and believed that He was the expected Messiah. His arrival in Jerusalem proved to be an added colour to the Passover of that year. At His command, His disciples had brought a colt. As He rode on this meek animal, the crowd went into frenzied and wild celebration, strewing His path with their garments and tree branches. They knew this was the King to come and they began to praise the King of the kingdom of David, and to shout, “Hosanna” (meaning, save us now); “blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord”.
Asking to be saved could have been their greatest prayer, had they not misplaced their priorities and expectations. But few days later, this same crowd would, in a wild mood swing, shout, “Crucify him”.
Many expect instant gratification and blessing from the Lord. They pray as if to twist the hand of God to grant their requests. They want to be saved from sickness and disease, poverty and pain, but they overlook the greatest need of their lives: to be saved from their sins. Forgiveness from sin brings salvation and this is what grants us access to God to ask for other needs of life.
Thought For Today: Misplaced priorities result in disappointments in prayer.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
