John 12:9-19
With the Ontario’s grim projection about the impact of Covid-19, I am convinced, it’s high time to focus more on Jesus because He is our source of hope. It’s time to get to know Him more, allow our minds to dwell on Him instead of this depressing trouble we find ourselves in. I don’t even want to mention it here. We don’t need to know the full detail anyway. The most important thing is that, we know, and we should know well, that after all, Jesus knows our destiny. He knows our future, no matter what the current state of our world is, Jesus knows it all, thus it is in Him where hope and strength are found.
We usually celebrate Palm Sunday because it was a momentous occasion, a significant event, not just to the people in Jesus’ day but even to Christians throughout history. There are at least three significant things about Palm Sunday. It was on this day that …
1. Jesus officially presented Himself as King.
“10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.”… “Blessed is the king of Israel!” John 12:10; 13b
“9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9, NASB
· We often refer Palm Sunday to the Triumphal entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem.
· This was one of the few events in the Lord’s life that we see in all the four gospel records, namely: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
· The Triumphal entry was also Jesus’ last major public appearance preceding His crucifixion that also happened on a Sunday.
· In ancient times, kings used donkey for peaceful occasions.
· Jesus entered in peace and did not come into the city to overthrow the Roman government.
2. The people officially proclaimed Jesus as King.
“Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” John 12:13
“7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.” Matthew 21:7
· Hosanna is a Hebrew term which means “give salvation now!”
· The people waited in great anticipation for the coming of God’s salvation.
· They sang and praised God for all the miracles they have seen.
· They were fixated on the miracles that Jesus performed.
“9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.” John 12:9
· After the euphoria died down, many in the crowd were stirred by some religious leaders to shout, “Crucify him!”
· Their hearts were easily swayed to turn against their King.
3. Jesus officially presented Himself as the Messiah.
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” (John 12:13).
· The Lord is a Messianic title reserved for Christ alone.
· The Messiah was sent to save the lost.
· Miracles were merely signs that should point people to come to Jesus, received Him as their King, Lord and Savior.
· People must come to Him, not because of the miracles, but because He is the One whom God sent to save us. See Jn. 3:16-17.
Friend, make this Palm Sunday very significant in your life by coming to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you of your sins, surrender your life to Him and allow Him to Lord over you.