The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 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!”
Up to this point, John has skipped through three years of time rather quickly. In his gospel, John has given us a portrait of Jesus that emphasizes his divinity. Now we move into the second half of John’s gospel. In the next nine chapters, John covers the last few days of Jesus’ life before his crucifixion. In a way, it is if we have been watching a time-lapse movie of Jesus’ life. At this point, the movie abruptly shifts to slow motion. Now every moment is examined in minute detail.
We begin with an amazing closeup of Jesus as king.
John 11: 55 tells us, “When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover.” Verse 56 adds, “They kept looking for Jesus…” Perhaps some of these people had been with Jesus when he fed the four thousand or the five thousand. Many of them likely knew someone Jesus had healed. Many had been healed themselves.
This point is the crescendo of Jesus’ ministry.
It looks like the worst fears of the chief priests are coming true! The crowds have decided that Jesus is king. They defy their instructions to report a sighting of Jesus and ignore the chief priests. Instead, they welcome Jesus with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna!” Out in the open! Without fear of the chief priests!!
Let’s Discuss: If Jesus had been a man like any other, and not God, what might have happened at this point?
I find it fascinating that this is one of those places the humble Jesus accepted the praise and worship of the people. Jesus willingly received the praise of people as He is worthy of praise and is God in the flesh. If it were one of us we would likely stop it because we know we are not worthy. If it were one of us, the authorities would be able to stop this scene because God would likely allow that to happen. But this is Jesus and He is the rightful King receiving adoration He deserves and of which His Father approves.
Great point, Rich. It fits with the way God communicates with us, by writing stories on the heart. King Jesus entering Jerusalem is an image that tells an important story.