AN ARRIVAL LIKE NO OTHER
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Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, speak to me as I come to Scripture today. Tell me what I need to grow in my life of faith; help to hear and be changed.
Read JOHN 12:12–19
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna![a]”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”[c]
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.
17 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. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
Footnotes
- John 12:13 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise
- John 12:13 Psalm 118:25,26
- John 12:15 Zech. 9:9
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
As you read this familiar story of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, ask God to speak to you afresh.Although the narrative of the raising of Lazarus is over, John shows us how it continues to have a ripple effect, inspiring some (vv. 17, 18) and infuriating others (v. 19). The nature of that miracle has both similarities and differences to the event we read of today—the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Both events are public, attracting large crowds and strong reactions. Both have Jesus at the center of the action, and both reveal aspects of who Jesus is.
Yet, while the raising of Lazarus shows Jesus’ power, the arrival in Jerusalem shows us his humility. He comes into the great city of David, not riding on a horse or lifted high on a carriage but sitting on the back of a ‘young donkey’ (vv. 14, 15). The great King of Kings, the incarnate Son of God rides humbly on a donkey. This is the kingship of Jesus in one simple image.
John is slowly revealing to us who Jesus is. He’s one who, yes, heals the blind and raises the dead, but he is also one who weeps with the grieving and rides on donkeys. What a God we serve and follow! Strength and simplicity; power and humility.
Apply
Take time to worship and thank Jesus not just for his power but for his profound humility.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, show me areas of my life where humility has not yet taken root.
RICHARD ELLWOOD returned to the UK after several years pastoring an international French-speaking church in Brussels, Belgium. He is now the team leader of Salt & Light Advance family of churches.
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