April 4th
Read John 12: 12-19
Here we see what is referred to as the “Triumphal Entry” of Jesus and the beginning of Holy Week. John’s gospel began setting the scene and mood for this entry much earlier, but most obviously in the passage before, 12:1-11. Jesus was anointed for burial and now He is coming into town where the last week of His pre-resurrected life would take place.
Read John 12: 12-19
Here we see what is referred to as the “Triumphal Entry” of Jesus and the beginning of Holy Week. John’s gospel began setting the scene and mood for this entry much earlier, but most obviously in the passage before, 12:1-11. Jesus was anointed for burial and now He is coming into town where the last week of His pre-resurrected life would take place.
- Why were the people so happy Jesus was coming into town? (Also see the prophecy in Psalm 118:25, and Zechariah 9:9)
- Is it possible that the people were mistaken on who Jesus was? Who was Jesus and why was this a big deal?
- Have you ever been “caught up in the moment” and didn’t realize what was happening until later? Why do you think the disciples did not understand what was going on at first (verse 16)?
- The passage ends with the jealousy of the pharisees. Likely some of the same people shouting “Hosanna” would be the same ones yelling “Crucify Him!” a few chapters later, and that leads me to the main thought of today: who do you believe Jesus is? Is He a genie in a bottle who you can summon when and only when you need help out of a bind? Is He the one that is going to bring you all of the wealth, health, and happiness that your heart desires? Or is it possible, as we will see in the coming days, that He actually is the son of God, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, who came not to bring a physical kingdom the way we might think of it, but a spiritual kingdom without end, to set free those held captive by sin, to bring back to Himself those that have gone astray? If you look to Jesus for any of the previous things, you may be tempted to look to Him for the wrong things and turn your back on Him when He doesn’t act the way you think He should, but if you bow to His kingdom and His plans, you’ll actually find He gives more contentment, satisfaction, and joy, than all of the other things could ever give.