Today's Reading: John 12
John 12:13 (ESV) "So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel! '"
"Click, click, click . .." My anticipation built as the roller coaster inched its way skyward at a terrifying angle. As we climbed the hill, I looked forward to the thrill on the other side. Would the drop give us momentum for loops or corkscrews? Or would we fly over another hill and drop again?
We crested the top of the peak, and I could finally see what was ahead. After a short drop, the track leveled, and sadly, the drop didn't live up to the hype of the climb. Like many things in life, this roller coaster didn't turn out at all how I expected.
Following Jesus during His final week in Jerusalem might have felt much like a disappointing roller coaster ride. As Jesus and His disciples made their way over the Mount of Olives and descended the hill to the gates of Jerusalem, a crowd gathered in enthusiastic expectation. They waved palm branches and cried "Hosanna!" to their King. For a thousand years, God's people had waited for another king like David. Now they wondered if their waiting was finally coming to an end.
John tells us that this crowd assembled because they heard about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. (John 12:18) They expected that Jesus could do something powerful for them. But they had no idea how powerful His deliverance truly was. They didn't understand that their deliverance would come through His death.
King Jesus didn't fulfill the people's expectations. He fulfilled something even better: the promises of God. (John 12:14-15) Even the disciples didn't see it at the time. Only with the benefit of hindsight did they understand the significance of the crowd's palm branches and praises. (John 12:16)
When we see how the triumphal entry of Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament promises, it should give us confidence in the promises that are yet to be fulfilled. God will be faithful to keep every promise in His Word, including the victorious return of the Messiah. (Revelation 17:14)
What do you want from Jesus? The gift of salvation by grace alone secured by King Jesus is better than anything else we could ask for or expect. Through the ups and downs and twists and turns, we're held secure in His Kingdom. (Colossians 1:13-14)
Life won't always turn out the way we anticipated. We may not understand what's happening or why. But when our hope is in Christ, we don't have to wallow in disappointment or despair. The King has come, and He is coming again.
Watch our Week 6 Video where we discuss Pilate and Pentecost with Wendy Blight.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for not always giving me what I expect, but always giving me what I need. I praise You that when I needed a Savior, You sent Your Son to die for me. Give me confidence in Your faithfulness to keep all Your promises. In Jesus' name, amen.
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