Lutheran Devotional 26th February 2026, Thursday Message
TOPIC: Hosanna!
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:12, 14-16
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. … And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise’?” (Matthew 21:12, 14-16)
It’s interesting that the one thing the religious leaders bring up to Jesus is the fact that the children are crying out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” They don’t mention the merchants He drove out of the temple courts; they don’t mention the healings, though they saw them. Apparently they feel on safe grounds complaining about the children—who are recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah of David’s family.
Jesus refers the leaders to Psalm 8:2b, which continues this way: “… because of Your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” According to Jesus, the praise of the children comes directly from God; the complaints come from God’s enemies.
And no surprise, for what the children are saying is “Hosanna”—which translates, “Save us!” Jesus has indeed come to save them and all of us as well. Through His death He will break the power of God’s enemies, including the devil; and through His resurrection He will give life to all God’s children who trust in Him.
WE PRAY: Thank You for saving me, Lord. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- Why don’t the leaders mention the merchants Jesus threw out?
- Where do you think the children learned Jesus is the Messiah?
- When and how do you praise God?
Today’s Readings:
Leviticus 6-7
Mark 6:1-29
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
