The Lamb is Selected by Israel
On the next day (the tenth of Nisan), people that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord (John 12:12-15).
The Jewish pilgrims were singing Psalm 118:21-26 and applying it to the Son of David, Jesus, who had come, "I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner... This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it... blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord."
In other words, on the exact day of the Great Sabbath, when Israel would choose their pascal Lamb, the Lamb of God was chosen by Israel as the promised Messiah. During the following four days as the pascal lamb would be brought into their homes to be inspected for blemishes, Jesus would enter His father's house, the temple, to teach and to be inspected of the people, and hopefully chosen as the Lamb whose blood would protect them.
There is a reason why Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament, told Israel to select their paschal lamb four days before it was to be slain and its blood used to deliver them from death; it's because it's a foretelling of what would happen during Holy Week. This is the pattern unfolding.
Read about the Great Sabbath, or Shabbat HaGadol to understand the background of selecting the Lamb 4 days before the Passover sacrifice.
Israel selects the Passover lamb. Jerusalem welcomes Jesus with Hosanna.
- The Great Sabbath marks the lamb selection.
- Pilgrims sing Psalm 118 and hail Jesus as king.
- The Lamb of God is publicly recognized.
This day links the original Passover to Holy Week. Israel selects its lamb on the same day it shouted 'Hosanna', selecting the Lamb of God.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Matthew 21 (KJV)
1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 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.
10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
John 12:12-15 (KJV)
12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
Psalm 118:21-26 (KJV)
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
Exodus 12:3 (KJV)
3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: