“The Coming King”

John 12:12-19

The crowd that gathered in Jerusalem for the religious celebrations, was poised and waiting for the arrival of a true king. In anticipation of the arrival of Jesus Christ as rumored, “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!”

From Psalm 118:25-26, this act of adoration constituted premature praise for the Messiah and Son of God the world could not truly perceive. For his identity was yet to be fully comprehended. Prophesy was fulfilled with the acquisition of a young donkey upon which he sat to make his humble entrance. It took time and deep experiences walking in faith for the disciples to utterly understand the meaning of these happenings.

The large crowd swelled due to the news of the latest miracle performed by Jesus, that of raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. “Many people because they had heard that he had performed this sign went out to meet him.”

The religious power brokers of the day, the Pharisees, who had consistently attempted to derail the ministry and popularity of Christ, had to admit their carnal strategies failed to prevent the entry of the Savior into Jerusalem, the citadel of faith, and into the hearts of spiritually hungry people. “So, the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him.”

Thank God no human effort can prevent the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into the lives of those who seek him.

Pastor Dumas A. Harshaw, Jr.