October 10, 2020
John 12:12-19
The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
CONSIDER THIS
Finally, we come to Jerusalem, the city of kings, the city who stones the prophets and those sent to her. Into the city of kings, the King of all kings now comes.
“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”
Today’s text affords us an opportunity to get to a high place where we can remember the larger span of the story and try to fathom the future while beholding the one who holds it all together.
Something tells me Jesus was remembering that fateful day when the people of Israel asked the prophet Samuel to appoint for them a king so they could be like the other nations around them. I wonder if he remembered the Word of God to Samuel concerning this request: “And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Sam. 8:7 ESV).
Now, King Jesus, the one who was born a King, in the city of David no less, comes into Jerusalem, the city of kings. The significance of this moment is as thick as the irony. The kingship of God’s people, Israel, was being restored to its rightful owner, and no one had any idea of it, but not before the great and final rejection.
Within days we will hear the ruler of Israel, Pontius Pilate, presenting Jesus to the people with these fateful words, “Here is your king” (19:14). Then he will ask, “Shall I crucify your king?” (19:15). And the chief priests will shout their incredible verdict, “We have no king but Caesar” (19:15).
As Jesus dies on the cross a sign will be posted over his head, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (19:19). It will be a final sign, yet one that never stops speaking, written in three languages—Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. Today this sign is translated into thousands of languages all over the world and one day every nation tribe and tongue will together make the confession, “Jesus Christ is Lord!”
And he shall reign forever and ever!
THE PRAYER
Abba Father, we thank you for your Son, Jesus, who is our King, high and holy, meek and lowly. Open the eyes of our heart to behold this scene, this triumphal entry which will turn tragic. Come, Holy Spirit, and turn it to our transformation. We reject the ways of this world and we embrace the ways of your kingdom, which is the royal way of the holy cross. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
THE QUESTIONS
1. What jumps out of today’s text and captures your attention?
2. How will you posture your heart as a participant in this unfolding passion story as we enter Jerusalem? How will you move beyond passive observation?
3. As we proceed, bring this ancient prayer to the forefront of your praying. It’s called the Jesus Prayer. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” Over and over and over. How does that sit with you?
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For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com
One Response
As I contemplate this event, what jumps out to me, is how upside down the kingdom of God is in contrast to the the kingdom’s of this world. Here the King of kings and Lord of lords comes riding into town, not on a chariot, but on a lowly beast of burden.
I see this event as a call to remember Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness .” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” These words provide me with the encouragement to be more confident in sharing the Gospel. From a worldly perspective, I’m a nobody.
That prayer reflects a Biblical truth, spoken in humility.