Read John 12:12-19
Hi there and welcome to this week’s Devotional Moments. This is the most Holy Week in the Christian Church’s Calendar as we head towards Easter. To put the wheels in motion, Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey on a day that we now call Palm Sunday.
John says that a “great crowd” had gathered, many with palm branches which were often used in victory marches. They were chanting and singing Hosanna which means save us. Jerusalem was always Jesus’ destination. Just before His entry, Luke wrote in 9:51, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51 NIV). Why? Matthew wrote, “From then on Jesus began to tell His disciples plainly that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem, and that He would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day He would be raised from the dead” (Matthew 16:21 NLT). But why Jerusalem? Jesus gives us a clue in Luke 13:33 when He said, “Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on My way. For it wouldn't do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem!” (Luke 13:33 NLT). It was in Jerusalem that many of the prophets died (1 Kings 19:10; 2 Chronicles 24:19; Jeremiah 2:30; Jeremiah 26:20-23). It was also in Jerusalem that all trials of prophets took place before the Sanhedrin. Jesus knew this, and so He resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
So Jesus planned for such an entry into Jerusalem with crowds cheering Him on because He knew that it would enforce the Jewish leaders act. John recorded that the Pharisees who were at this parade became increasingly frustrated (John 12:19) and went away and plotted how they were going to kill Him. Five days later they succeeded.
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus. You knew that Your time had come and instead of going in the opposite direction, you resolutely set out for Jerusalem where you would be tried and killed. In this Holy Week, help us to be mindful of what You went through for each of us resulting in our forgiveness. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
David Moyes
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