Prince on a Pony
Opening Prayer
Lord, amid so many distractions in my life, open my mind and heart to hear only Your teaching and leading.
Read John 12:12-19
[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!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “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.” [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!” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Why did the disciples not understand the crowd's welcome?Crowds were flocking to Jerusalem for the upcoming Passover feast. The raising of Lazarus had led many to believe (11), and the name and fame of Jesus was fast spreading. So when the crowds in Jerusalem heard that Jesus was on his way, they were eager, excited and expectant. They brought palm branches, traditionally waved to honor a victorious leader; they cried, “Hosanna!” (Hebrew for “Save!”) and they welcomed Jesus, using the words of Psalm 118:25,26. The sheer numbers, not to mention the noise, probably made it impossible for Jesus to address the gathering. But in response to the clamor of the crowd, Jesus “found a young donkey” (14)–an action pregnant with meaning, since it amounted to a messianic claim which fulfilled ancient prophecy (Zech. 9:9,10). Nevertheless, even his disciples failed to grasp the true significance of Jesus’ actions (16). A warrior-king would have mounted a horse; riding a donkey signified one who would “proclaim peace to the nations” (Zech. 9:10b). Jesus would indeed conquer, save, deliver…yet, not by waging war, but by making peace, a peace that would be won by the price of his own life-blood.
Apply
Are my expectations of God’s actions shaped by my own desires or by God’s revealed Word? Seek God’s direction in prayer today.
Closing prayer
Lead me, Lord Jesus, to hear Your Holy Spirit today. I acknowledge You as my only Lord and Savior.
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