The Highest Heaven

The entry into Jerusalem and the commotion it causes is an eloquent example of the saying: children, drunks, and fools speak the truth.

The crowd that welcomes Jesus is drunk with elation and mad with ecstasy.  On this day even the children sound the echo of this praise in the temple: “Hosanna!” – to the annoyance of the chief priests.  This call is a mystery word.  Hoshe Na, a supplication from Jewish liturgy, means something like “Save now!  Help now!”  To whom is this call for help addressed?  On the one hand, to the son of David, the human being Jesus of Nazareth.  But also to the highest heavens (Matthew 21:9): “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  Who is who in this enigmatic praise?  Who is he?  And who is the Lord?

Long ago one knew of the Son of Man, Jesus, who was to be the bearer of the Son of God, Christ.  In a frenzy of rapture, the people reveal who He really is: “Blessed is Jesus, who gives a home to the highest Lord, Christ.”

The word of the highest heavens (Greek en hupsistois) has sounded in the gospel before, namely at the birth of Jesus.  Then it was the angels who proclaimed that out of the highest heaven God’s Son had descended to the earth: “Revealed be God in the highest heaven (en hupsistois).”

But now it is a crowd of people who, unknowingly, proclaim the truth.  For in the darkest days that are following, in the denial, derision, scourging, crowning with thorns, and crucifixion, the highest heaven comes to earth.

-Rev. Bastiaan Baan, March 29, 2026