The week preceding Easter Sunday is known as Holy Week or Passion Week. Scripture is replete with details of the events of Holy Week. We recently finished our studies in the Gospel according to Mark. Interestingly, Holy Week (Chapters 11-16) accounts for almost 38% of the book.
The week begins with the Triumphal Entry (Mark 11:1-11), which is commonly associated with Palm Sunday (one week before Easter Sunday). Although a very good argument can be made that the Triumphal Entry took place on a Monday, that is not my purpose in writing to you. I want to share some thoughts on this Good Friday and help you prepare your hearts for corporate worship this Sunday.
We had a slightly modified worship service last week (3/28/21) that did not include hymns. So, this Sunday (Easter), I have selected a progression of hymns that will highlight the events of the Passion Week from Triumphal Entry to Resurrection.
I want to remind you that singing theologically and doctrinally rich hymns is one way that we teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16). We are worshiping Him and proclaiming His truth as we sing these hymns. We remind and teach each other the great truths of Scripture through singing, praying, reading, and the preaching of His Word.
One of the hymns we will sing this week, Lord willing, is Ride On, Ride On in Majesty! You don’t hear this hymn very often today, but it has become more popular in recent years. It was written in 1827 by Henry Hart Milman, and the text of the hymn can be set to several tunes. We will sing the hymn set to the tune WINCHESTER NEW (1690).
This hymn is often sung on Palm Sunday, and as you see the text below, you will noticed that all five stanzas reference the Triumphal Entry. In preparing our hearts to join in corporate worship this Sunday, I encourage you to read through the text of this hymn (below) and read Mark 11:1-11; Matthew 21:1-9; Luke 19:29-38. Having a deeper understanding of Scripture will deepen your worship of God as you sing His truths.
Click here for a recording of the hymn sung at Capitol Hill Baptist Church (Washington, D.C.). This is the version we will sing. You can also search for numerous other recordings, such as this beautiful choral rendition by King’s College, Cambridge.
Stanza 1
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry;
O Savior meek, pursue your road
with palms and scattered garments strowed.
This incredibly rich hymn begins each stanza with “Ride on, ride on in majesty!”, which is a reference to Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a colt in the Triumphal Entry. “Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry” reflects Mark 11:9, where the people shout “Hosanna!” Stanza 1 closes with the scene of the people spreading their garments and leafy branches in the road (Mark 11:8).
Stanzas 2 & 3
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die:
O Christ, your triumphs now begin
o’er captive death and conquered sin.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The winged squadrons of the sky
look down with sad and wond’ring eyes
to see th’approaching sacrifice.
Stanzas 2 and 3 speak of Christ’s death and triumphs over death and conquered sin. As He rides on into Jerusalem, He is riding on to die. He might be hailed as king as He rides into Jerusalem, but He is the approaching sacrifice, the final and perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-10). The scene of the large crowd shouting Hosanna early in the week would quickly change and become a large crowd crying, “Crucify Him” (Mark 15:13).
Stanzas 4 & 5
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Your last and fiercest strife is nigh;
the Father on his sapphire throne
expects his own anointed Son.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
bow your meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, your pow’r and reign.
Stanzas 4 and 5 look past the Triumphal Entry to the end of the week, where He meets His “last and fiercest strife.” He will bow His “meek head to mortal pain.” Read through Isaiah 53 and Mark 14:32-15:39, and you will see His suffering predicted and fulfilled. While these stanzas seem somber, the end is triumphant: “Then take, O God, Your power and reign.”
May God bless you as you dwell on His Word and prepare your hearts for the public and corporate worship of God!
Daniel