Hosanna Today, Crucify Him Tomorrow

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Today’s Texts: Matthew 21:1–11; Matthew 27:20–23; John 12:12–19

Key Verse: “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” — Matthew 21:9 (KJV)

Before we get too far from Palms Sunday, let us take a deep breathe and reflect on our attitude toward the King upon the donkey's colt. The cry of “Hosanna” in Jerusalem was loud, joyful, and full of expectation. As Jesus entered the city on a donkey, the people spread their garments and palm branches before Him, honoring Him as the promised Son of David and welcoming Him as their hoped-for King. Yet the same city that shouted “Hosanna” on one day would soon, under pressure, manipulation, and fear, shout “Crucify him” on another. This sobering contrast exposes the instability of human applause and the danger of a faith built on emotion alone.

The crowd loved the miracle-working Messiah, but many were unwilling to receive the suffering Savior. They wanted a crown without a cross, a triumph without submission, and a King who would satisfy their expectations without confronting their sins. "Hosanna today, crucify Him tomorrow” is more than a historical tragedy; it is a warning to every believer about the fickleness of the human heart. It is possible to celebrate Jesus when He enters in visible blessing, yet resist Him when He comes in correction, holiness, and surrender.

It is possible to worship Him with our lips while our lives remain unsubmitted to His Lordship. The same crowd that shouted praise in Matthew 21 was influenced by fear and corruption in Matthew 27, proving that popular opinion is no safe foundation for discipleship. True devotion does not depend on what the crowd is doing; it remains steadfast when praise turns to pressure and when loyalty is tested by cost.

Jesus never changed between Palm Sunday and Good Friday. The voices changed, but the Savior remained the same. He was still the King, still the Lamb, still the Son of God, still worthy of honor even when rejected. This teaches us that our allegiance to Christ must not be determined by convenience, culture, or crowd sentiment. We must follow Him not only when He enters Jerusalem to cheers, but also when He walks toward Calvary in obedience. Mature faith receives both His procession and His passion, both His glory and His suffering, both His palms and His cross.

Action Steps: Today, examine your own heart honestly before the Lord. Ask Him to expose any area where your praise is emotional but not obedient, enthusiastic but not enduring. Refuse to be a weekend worshiper with a weekday denial; choose instead to stand with Jesus in public and private, in comfort and in cost. Let your “Hosanna” be more than a shouted song—let it become a surrendered life. When the crowd shifts, remain faithful. When following Christ becomes unpopular, stay anchored. When obedience feels costly, remember that He never abandoned you on the way to the cross.

Quote for the Day: “A heart that truly cries Hosanna will not turn against the One it has crowned.” — (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for every time I have praised You with my lips but resisted You with my life. Deliver me from the spirit of the crowd and give me the heart of a true disciple. Teach me to honor You not only in moments of celebration, but also in seasons of suffering, conviction, and surrender. Let my worship remain faithful when the world turns cold, and let my love for You be steadfast and unmoved. I choose today to say Hosanna in truth, and to follow You all the way. In Jesus's most holy name, Amen.

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Thank you for threshing the Word with me today. For further study on this topic, please read: Luke 19:28–40; John 6:60–69; Philippians 2:5–11.

With love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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