Exalt His Name Until the Day of His Full Glory
Scripture Passage: John 12:12-19 (NASB)
12 On the next day, when the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, indeed, the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: 15 “Do not fear, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” 16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things for Him. 17 So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. 18 For this reason also the people went to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not accomplishing anything; look, the world has gone after Him!”
SUMMARY
When the large crowd in Jerusalem heard that Jesus was coming, they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him shouting “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!, indeed, the king of Israel!” Jesus was sitting on a donkey as prophesied. People continued to testify about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and this was the reason why people wanted to go out and meet Him. Pharisees say to one another that their efforts to deter people from following Jesus had been futile.
MEDITATION AND REFLECTION
The crowd welcomes Jesus because Jesus had performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. They exalt him as the King of Israel and anticipate Israel’s victory over Rome symbolically by waving the palm branches. However, the Pharisees were unhappy about the fact that many people were honoring Jesus. Jesus came as a peace offering, riding on a donkey as prophesied by Zechariah. Isaac also was taken up to the altar on a donkey when Abraham was tested by God to offer up his only son as sacrifice to God, but God provided a ram in place of Isaac. However, unlike Isaac, Jesus shed His innocent blood and died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice to atone for all of our sins. For His humble sacrifice, Jesus will be exalted as prophesied by Isaiah, “For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phillippians 2:9-11)
I cannot help but to imagine what will it be like when Jesus comes back for the second time in His glory. Apostle John wrote in the book of Revelation “ Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7) When Jesus comes back on the cloud in His glory, people will have different reactions, those who love Him will sigh a welcome relief and cheer Him on while those who did not believe Him or who are not ready will mourn His coming.
APPLICATION
How can I be ready for Jesus' second coming? First, I must be set apart from the World and become a holy living sacrifice. Jesus warned of the end time like this “remember what happened to Lot’s wife! Whoever clings to his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life shall save it.” I must practice letting go of this life. I must not be in a state of mind to love anything in this world more than Jesus so on that day I will be ready to “lose my life”. I have been practicing letting go of my earthly desires, such as shopping excessively.
Secondly, I will share the gospel at every opportunity so no one’s blood is on me. Apostle Paul testified that “I am innocent of the blood of all people.” (Acts 20:26) and it was because he shared the gospel to all people he met after his conversion and he has no regrets about it. I must do the same and share with all people at every opportunity.
Thirdly, I will make it a daily habit to foster intimacy with the Lord. “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” (Genesis 5:24) Like Enoch, I want to walk with God all the days of my life through daily prayer and meditating on the word of God.
Fourth, I also want to live my life the way Elijah lived, keeping the faith when all the world seems to go astray and staying strong in my faith when it seems like I am all alone.
Fifth, Like Elijah discipled Elisha, I want to disciple others as well and pass on the spiritual inheritance. I will read the bible to my children and pray with them everyday if possible.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Your only son to die on the cross. Thank You Jesus, for Your humility. You are truly awesome and yet so humble. I long for Your return in full glory. I want to be prepared as a pure bride ready for her groom. Forgive me for I am so unworthy and I have stumbled so many times, but You have guided me like a shepherd guides his sheep. Thank You for Your rod and staff. Thank You for disciplining me when I stray. Please never leave me alone to go astray but to always guide me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
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