The feast of Passover (the festival of Unleavened Bread) was one of the three great pilgrimage festivals of Israel. Every able-bodied man was expected to attend them all (Deuteronomy 16:16). Many Jews who travelled from Galilee, in the north of the country, avoided Samaria by coming down the road to the east of the Jordan River and then crossing near Jericho. From there it was an uphill path for about 17 miles. The closer they got to Jerusalem, the more excited they became with anticipation of being together with God at the festival.

The huge pilgrim crowds merged with the growing group of people around Jesus. It was a festival atmosphere and the sight of Jesus riding to the city of Jerusalem, on a donkey, spurred them into chanting Scripture which they had learned as children. Psalm 118 was a natural song to sing, as it appealed to God to save His people. References to 'the house of the Lord' were appropriate as pilgrims reached their destination - the temple in Jerusalem. Psalm 118:25-26 says, "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." The Hebrew word for 'save us' is very like the word 'hosanna'.

It was a Holy Spirit inspired connection between the Psalm and Jesus. The crowd spoke the truth although they did not know it (and later denied it ... Matthew 27:20-26). Jesus was indeed the Saviour ('Hosanna' means 'save us now'). He was indeed the Son of David (the Jews understood that phrase to refer to the Messiah). Salvation was indeed planned in the highest heaven and would enable saved people to go to heaven. Entering the city, the enthusiasm of the travelling crowd spilled over to the other pilgrims. They asked, “Who is this?" But the only answer was His human name and home address. They had not understood the Scripture they had chanted, nor listened to the Holy Spirit who was speaking through His Word (2 Peter 1:21).

God is heard when people receive His messages in the Scriptures. But the significance of Bible truth is often disregarded, because people do not want to know what the Lord is saying. It is easy to repeat prayers in church, sing songs and read what the Holy Spirit has inspired - but it is impossible to bow before the King of Heaven unless you want to (or, on the final day, when you have to ... Philippians 2:9-11). Going along with a religious crowd will not automatically show you who Jesus is, unless you are open to hear and believe what the Holy Spirit is saying in the Scriptures. Be willing to listen today when you read His Word, and encourage others to do the same.