Kyle Blevins

Have you ever found yourself walking through the house singing, Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest? If you are like me, you may have even found yourself randomly saying “hosanna!,” though not really sure what you are saying or from where you heard it.

Whether you have listened or sang along, read it, or spoken it, this is a very powerful exclamation. Have you ever thought about what the name of Jesus as "Hosanna" actually means?

If you have never heard the term “hosanna” before, no worries. You are in the right place. As we dive into the meaning and where it can be found in the Word, we can be more intentional about using it. This intention will lead our prayer and worship time into a deeper connection.

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We read that Jesus was called many names throughout the Bible, but Son of Man stands apart for several reasons. The number of times we see this name alone separates it from some of the others. Just as with a name like Lamb of God, this name has a distinct meaning that is easily defined and tied back to Scripture. What is the significance and the implications of Christ being the Son of Man? Just like other names of God, this name has rich meaning. Let’s explore this powerful name.

What Does "Son of Man" Mean"?

Jesus often called himself the Son of Man as part of his interactions with people. On the one hand, saying he was the Son of Man would have been a very ordinary thing to say. Like it’s use in Ezekiel, ‘son of man’ can simply mean, ‘human being.’ But of course, Jesus also was speaking to his identity as the Messiah. He was alluding to Daniel 7, claiming his Messiahship and his role in the redemption of the world.

Jesus’ humanity mattered. Jesus was conceived by the Spirit and full of the Spirit of God, but he was birthed by Mary and born as a man. His ability to sympathize in all of our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15) and not sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), means he was and is the only one who could redeem us.

Similarly, his sonship can teach us a lot about himself. In Matthew 3:17 we read, “And a voice from Heaven said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.’” In Judaism, the firstborn son is viewed as significant in “the redemption of the first-born son.” This is a commandment in Jewish culture where the firstborn son is “redeemed” and predestined to serve as a priest. The firstborn son was also given a double portion of the inheritance. Sons were viewed in this time as being chosen, prepared with purpose, and to carry on the vision of the father. This helps shape the significance of Jesus being called the Son of Man.

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You may have heard this saying in an academic setting before; “the truth will set you free” could certainly apply to learning and gaining new knowledge. However, the original intent of this phrase refers to a spiritual freedom from the bondage of sin. Ellicott’s Commentary expands on the context of this verse in this way; on “the truth will set you free” it adds that “truth and holiness are spoken of as correlative,” as read in John 17:17. The verse says, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” At this time, people limited freedom to being free from slavery or Roman rule. But Jesus meant “truth” and “free” as far deeper things.

Most of us picture lambs as downy white animals frolicking in rolling green meadows or carried tenderly in the arms of their shepherd. Lambs represent gentleness, purity, and innocence. Though it is one of the most tender images of Christ in the New Testament, the phrase "Lamb of God" would have conjured far more disturbing pictures to those who heard John the Baptist hail Jesus with these words. Hadn't many of them, at one time or another, carried one of their own lambs to the altar to be slaughtered as a sacrifice for their sins, a lamb that they had fed and bathed, the best animal in their small flock? Hadn't the bloody sacrifice of an innocent animal provided a vivid image of the consequences of transgressing the Mosaic law? Surely, John must have shocked his listeners by applying the phrase "Lamb of God" to a living man.

When we pray to Jesus as the Lamb of God, we are praying to the One who voluntarily laid down his life to take in his own body the punishment for our sins and for the sins of the entire world. (excerpt provided by Ann Spangler, Praying the Names of God)

Key Scripture: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29

What Does Lamb of God Mean?

To connect the dots for this question, we will want to take a look back into history and context of the Old Testament. Animal sacrifices are found all throughout books in the Old Testament. These blood offerings acted as a temporary covering for sin. In Leviticus 4:35, you get a clear picture of the process and the purpose. “..Through this process, the priest will purify the people from their sin, making them right with the Lord, and they will be forgiven.” (NLT, emphasis mine)

So the purpose of animal sacrifice and offerings was sanctification, righteousness (or right standing with God), and forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 also sheds some light on the importance of the blood offering, saying, “In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” In summary, this was life under the law: the people knew if sin was present, a sacrifice was necessary for redemption.

These various sacrificial practices in Jewish culture often involved lambs; this animal had a very important place in the religion. Lambs are known for their white coats, and white is a symbol of purity and cleanliness.

Can you begin to see how why Jesus was called the Lamb of God? He, too, was stainless, perfect and free of sin. He was perfectly pure. And just like the lambs were sacrificed for sin, so would Christ be sacrificed.