John 12:12-18
“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.” John 12:12-18
Although not part of inspired Scripture, I enjoy the added text headings that are inserted into some of the portions of scripture to help improve readability. In the NIV, the title of today’s passage is, “Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King”. I took some time to look up other Bible translations and found; “Jesus’ Triumphant Entry” and “See How the King Comes”. How can you not be excited when you read those titles! This is what the disciples and the crowds were waiting for! A King. A conquering king who would deliver them from Rome. Victory was finally within reach. Or was it? What was going through the minds and hearts of the disciples as they witnessed their “king” on a lowly young donkey? This arrival is not what they anticipated. The disciples were ready for a fight. They were ready to roll up their sleeves and join Jesus in the liberation of oppression from Rome. But here is Jesus riding peacefully and humbly on a donkey. Wow, what a stark contrast to a powerful and victorious entry on a warhorse.
I can imagine that the disciples experienced confusion and disappointment. Some in the crowd might have known from Zechariah that the promised Jewish king would ride a donkey. But none of them, not even the disciples, really grasped what Jesus was doing. “At first his disciples did not understand all this. This was not the sort of king that they were looking for. Jesus’ disciples might not have understood what was transpiring at first, but when Jesus was glorified, they then remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. The reality is that He was here to establish a spiritual kingdom. He came to die for our sin. He came not as a military commander but a humble, obedient Lamb of God.
As I reflect on my own journey of faith, I can recall many times when I felt confused or uncertain about what Jesus was doing in my life or the world. When those moments of confusion come, I hold fast to Jesus's teaching till clarity comes. Friends, as we wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ, I pray that it would be made very clear that we as a church are to live in joyful readiness and never cease in sharing the gospel.
Although not part of inspired Scripture, I enjoy the added text headings that are inserted into some of the portions of scripture to help improve readability. In the NIV, the title of today’s passage is, “Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King”. I took some time to look up other Bible translations and found; “Jesus’ Triumphant Entry” and “See How the King Comes”. How can you not be excited when you read those titles! This is what the disciples and the crowds were waiting for! A King. A conquering king who would deliver them from Rome. Victory was finally within reach. Or was it? What was going through the minds and hearts of the disciples as they witnessed their “king” on a lowly young donkey? This arrival is not what they anticipated. The disciples were ready for a fight. They were ready to roll up their sleeves and join Jesus in the liberation of oppression from Rome. But here is Jesus riding peacefully and humbly on a donkey. Wow, what a stark contrast to a powerful and victorious entry on a warhorse.
I can imagine that the disciples experienced confusion and disappointment. Some in the crowd might have known from Zechariah that the promised Jewish king would ride a donkey. But none of them, not even the disciples, really grasped what Jesus was doing. “At first his disciples did not understand all this. This was not the sort of king that they were looking for. Jesus’ disciples might not have understood what was transpiring at first, but when Jesus was glorified, they then remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. The reality is that He was here to establish a spiritual kingdom. He came to die for our sin. He came not as a military commander but a humble, obedient Lamb of God.
As I reflect on my own journey of faith, I can recall many times when I felt confused or uncertain about what Jesus was doing in my life or the world. When those moments of confusion come, I hold fast to Jesus's teaching till clarity comes. Friends, as we wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ, I pray that it would be made very clear that we as a church are to live in joyful readiness and never cease in sharing the gospel.
Posted in Devotional