From Hosanna to the Empty Tomb
Hosanna!—the city trembled at His coming.
Palms bent low before the King of Peace.
The foal bore Him, gentle and righteous,
As Zion cried, “Blessed is He who comes
In the name of the LORD!”
Yet the Lamb rode onward, eyes fixed on the wood.
He taught as One having authority,
His words sharp as light in shadowed hearts.
In the upper room He broke the bread and said,
“This is My body which is given for you.”
The cup passed—blood of the new covenant,
Poured out for many, for remission of sins.
In Gethsemane the night grew heavy.
The ground drank sweat like drops of blood.
“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me;
Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Angels watched as obedience conquered agony.
Betrayed by a kiss.
Forsaken by friends.
Stripped, scourged, crowned with thorns.
They lifted Him up between heaven and earth—
And the Cross stood where mercy and judgment met.
Then the Holy One opened His mouth and spoke:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
Grace flowed while nails still bled.
To the thief who turned with broken faith:
“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Seeing His mother, pierced with sorrow,
And the disciple whom He loved:
“Woman, behold your son!”
Then He said, “Behold your mother!”
Even in death, love ordered the living.
Darkness fell upon the land.
The weight of sin crushed the sinless Son.
And He cried with a loud voice:
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
The Scripture pressed its final claim.
The Fountain of Life whispered,
“I thirst!”
The work finished.
The Law fulfilled.
The ransom fully paid.
He cried out in triumph,
“It is finished!”
Then, bowing His head in holy trust,
He said,
“Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’”
And He gave up His breath.
The veil was torn from top to bottom.
The earth quaked.
Graves opened.
A centurion trembled and confessed,
“Truly this was the Son of God!”
They laid Him in a borrowed tomb.
A stone sealed hope away—
Or so it seemed.
But early, while it was still dark,
The stone was rolled back.
Death stood defeated.
The angel proclaimed,
“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.”
From palm branch to pierced hand,
From cross to crown, from grave to glory—
Jesus Christ,
Who was delivered up for our offenses
And raised because of our justification,
Lives forevermore.
Hosanna became Hallelujah.
The Crucified is the Risen King.