Key Verse:The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him. Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”John 12:12-19
Celebrate!
Prior to this passage, Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead and the word had spread. As the crowd gathered to celebrate Passover, there was great anticipation about if Jesus would attend. The crowd heard he was traveling to Jerusalem and many among them wanted to see and celebrate him. So, they went out to greet him. Palm branches were a symbol of triumph and victory and were the chosen method for greeting Jesus. Hosanna is used as an appeal to God for deliverance and as a shout of praise and adoration. This greeting was both one of action and words but was the same message that Jesus had demonstrated victory and triumph over death.
The part of the passage that stands out the most to me is verse 16: “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.”
Being in the moment must have been a time of trying to take everything in. To learn and to teach and to follow Jesus. There are several writings that had occurred that foretold the welcome that Jesus would receive into Jerusalem (Psalm 119:25, 26, Zechariah 9:9). I wonder how quickly writings spread in those days. Likely not the speed that they do now. However, in reflection trying to make sense of the circumstances, perhaps they were trying to answer that agonizing question of “Why”.
Jesus was a man loved by the people. John 12:19 “Look how the whole world has gone after him!” He performed many miracles and by all accounts set out to help those who sought him, and more importantly, was the son of God. Why had his life been taken, too early and in such a manner? Why did God allow it? Truly, I would have preferred God to crush the opposition in a mighty and forceful way, but where would that leave us in our relationship with God? God does not view death as we do.
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| Palm Sunday by Jan Norton |
We can answer the “why” for Jesus because God has given us the promise. John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full”. With Lazarus’s raising from the dead, He demonstrated that He holds victory over death. By sending His son, He provided the way that we could have life, and ultimately victory over death. That we could spend our eternity in His presence. As we come together to celebrate Jesus, and what his life and death means for us, may we reflect on what his means for us as God’s children. Raise a palm branch to celebrate God’s triumph and victory, which He gives to us! Shout 1,000 Hallelujahs that we serve a God who is our way-maker and promise keeper 1,000 more that we may rest with Him in eternity!
Celebrate God’s Promises!
Thank you, Christin!
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