On the very day of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, lambs were being taken into homes for the Jewish Passover. The Passover was an annual festival to remember God’s deliverance of Israel out of Egyptian slavery in the days of Moses. On the night when all the firstborn of Egypt were struck down by the judgment of God, the angel of death would “pass over” every home where an Israelite had applied the blood of a sacrificial lamb to their doorposts. Jesus had come into the holy city in order to offer Himself as God’s pure and spotless Lamb. He would shed His blood on a cross as the one final sacrifice for sin, sufficient for everyone who would apply this provision by faith. “Hosanna!” shouted the welcoming crowd. The Hebrew word literally means, “Save us, now.” So they cried out, “O LORD, save us!... Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” They were quoting from the second half of Psalm 118 (v 25-26), the closing words of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), which were part of each year’s Passover celebration. Waving palm branches and spreading them on the road ahead of Jesus, they extended a royal welcome. Did they understand that He was the Son of God coming to Jerusalem to give His life as a ransom payment to save His people from their sins? No, they had other expectations of this miracle-working Messiah. They wanted a political or military savior to deliver them from Roman oppression. But He had truly come “in the name of the LORD,” obedient to the Father’s will. This meant it was necessary for Him to be rejected and put to death before God would raise Him up and exalt Him to the highest place. As Israel had been considered insignificant, rejected by the world’s great empires, people did not recognize what God was doing through His crucified Christ. But when speaking with Israel’s religious leaders, Jesus told a parable about wicked tenants who killed the owner’s son, then quoted Psalm 118:22 in reference to Himself. He was “the stone that the builders rejected” only to “become the cornerstone” of all true religion. This verse also meant a lot to the apostle Peter. He quoted it to the Jewish Sanhedrin after Jesus’ death and resurrection. He also quoted it in his first letter, combining it with two other prophecies from Isaiah (8:14; 28:16). What a privilege for us to be joined to the spiritual house God is now building with Jesus His Son as the cornerstone. Do not stumble over this stone, refusing to receive the grace that is offered. Come to Jesus instead, and do the wise thing: build your life on that secure foundation. For further meditation: