Good Friday: When the Cheers of ‘Hosanna’ Turned into ‘Crucify Him’
The Instability of Human Emotions
Once, my best friend told me about how he felt when he checked the weather forecast and it matched the weather on that day. With a happy feeling, he said, “It turns out that this weather forecast is indeed accurate! I was told it would be sunny today, and it really was sunny all day. It didn’t rain at all.” She had experienced this several times, so she was confident that the weather forecast was always accurate. However, the next day she was disappointed by the forecast. Suddenly, it rained in the area around his house. Even though the information he got from the weather forecast stated that it would be sunny that day. He was disappointed because it turns out that weather forecasts are not necessarily consistent.
Likewise, the human heart is inconsistent. It can be likened to the changeable weather. Sometimes it’s sunny, sometimes it’s cloudy, and often storms come without warning. The instability of the human heart is a result of sin and this attitude was also shared by the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem at that time. At first they cheered ‘Hosanna’. But soon the cheers turned into, ‘Crucify Him’.
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The chants of ‘Hosanna’ that we commemorate on Palm Sunday show recognition and praise of Jesus as King. As if Jesus was the only leader who could fulfill their expectations. However, within a short period of time, this attitude turned into rejection and disdain on Good Friday with the phrase ‘Crucify Him’. This reflects how quickly people can move from confession of faith to doubt and rejection. People are often influenced by the situations and conditions around them. When Jesus did not meet their expectations as the political leader or savior they wanted, they easily turned against Him. This shows the fragility and instability of the human heart in the face of challenges.
The example of Jesus
Although Jesus experienced betrayal and rejection, He still showed love and forgiveness. When He prayed for His enemies, “Father, forgive them” Jesus accepted His suffering and death willingly. He did not complain or shy away, but rather went through it all with the greater purpose of being the Savior. This passage teaches us to face adversity with courage and resilience.
Building Firmness of Faith
We need to reflect on how we are often inconsistent in our faith and actions. Do we also easily move from praise to rejection? Let us introspect together and strengthen our commitment to God. In the face of challenges and difficulties, we are invited to remain steadfast in faith. We must learn from Jesus’ example not to let situations change our beliefs, but to hold on to the love and hope that He gives. God bless!
