John 12:12-19

April 20, 2014 John wants us to know about Jesus and to believe on His name so that we can have eternal life. This is the purpose of his gospel and its why he told us about the Word who became flesh, and why he told us about when Jesus turned the water into wine and cleared out the temple and performed the miraculous healings. Its why he told us about Lazarus and his sisters. And there are a great many who believe, arent there? There are fishermen and tax collectors and Pharisees and harlots and thieves and rebels and Jews and Gentiles and people from every walk of life. But there are just as many, if not more, who dont believe. They dont care if a man rose from the dead; if this little rebellion gains any traction the Romans will come and take away their place as leaders and they wont let the Jews govern themselves any more. Well, this is their fear, and as it turns out, its not totally unfounded: On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an asss colt. 16These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. 17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. 19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. So, basically it was just what the leaders had feared. Everyone had gone off to join this man because of Lazarus and Rome was sure to notice. Now, what theyre saying is significant because it fulfills prophecy, but before we turn to the Old Testament verses I want to read this same story from the other three gospels to get as much information as we can. Each offers a few more details to help us get a clearer picture of whats happening: MATTHEW And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3And if any man say ought unto you, ye

shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee (Mt. 21:1-11). What we learn from Matthew is that the donkey wasnt found by accident. He didnt just grab one that happened to be sitting nearby. No; Jesus knew what He was doing and sent the disciples out to get a specific donkey from specific people to use for His entry into Jerusalem as the promised King! Its kind of like the spikenard Mary had been saving. For this purpose. We also see that it wasnt just palm branches going into the street. Rather, it says that a very great multitude spread their cloaks! Now, why is that important? Well, over in 2 Kings 19:3 the same thing happened with a man named Jehu. When the people realized the Lord had made him king over Israel they put their cloaks under him and shouted, Jehu is king! Now Jesus comes and they knew what theyre saying: Jesus is King! Now, the word Hosanna: it means Save now! Its a prayer or a plea for help. Look again at what the people say: Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. Theyre saying, Save us now son of David. Remember that theyre waiting on Davids son to come and rule again from the throne. They say, Hosanna in the highest or Save us now; were asking the highest authority to come to our rescue! This was pretty explicit and its why the leaders were so apprehensive. MARK And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4And they went their way, and found the colt

tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. 7And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. 11And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve (Mk. 11:1-11). Mark adds a few details that Matthew doesnt. First, the donkeys were found in a place where two ways meet. In other words, they were on a street corner. Imagine being one of those disciples; If anybody sees you just tell them I need it. And so they go and untie these animals and sure enough someone comes out of the house and says, Hey, what are you doing with my donkeys? The disciples just look at each other and shrug, The Lord says He needs them. I imagine the guy standing there staring for a minute and then he just shrugs too: Ok. It just shows how in control He is through all of this. He knows exactly what will happen and even prepares His disciples for what theyll need. Mark also mentions David but in his account they say, Blessed be the kingdom of our father David. Its not Blessed be Rome and thats going to be a problem. Theyre ready and expecting right now that Jesus will lead them as their King and the Lord is going to fight their battle. The kingdom of God is finally here! LUKE And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. 29And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in

the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out (Lk. 19:28-40). Of all these differences Lukes is my favorite. What the Pharisees are saying is, Hey, quiet them down before Rome hears about this! Jesus answer is wonderful: Theres no stopping this prophecy from being fulfilled. I am the King. Im not just their King though; Im the King of all the earth. If they stop the rocks will start! And so this story is important because it shows when Jesus accepted the title of King over Israel. But not everything is as it seems. Remember that theres a difference between the spiritual and the earthly. Jesus didnt come to overthrow Rome; He came to overthrow the spiritual powers of darkness. And so within a very short time this King will be called Criminal. But all of it is according to whats already been decided and declared. Now I want to go back with you into the Old Testament to look at when these things were foretold. As we read through these chapters I want you to keep in mind all the references to salvation and battle. Notice how these chapters show hope that Zions Savior will overthrow the enemies and rule in their stead. Keep in mind that the Jews were waiting for the kingdom of God to be established: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 3Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 4Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 5I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. 6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? 7The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. 8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. 10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. 11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 12They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 13Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. 14The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. 15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. 16The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. 17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. 18The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. 19Open to me the gates of righteousness:

I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: 20This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. 21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. 22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23This is the LORDs doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. 27God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. 28Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. 29O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever (Ps. 118). What is the Day in verse 24? I cant help but think these Jews in Jerusalem are thinking, This is the day! Why should they fear Rome? God is on their side! All the nations can surround them: Rome, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia; it doesnt matter who else. God will destroy them all! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Now go to the other reference: The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD. 2And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise. 3And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. 4Behold, the LORD will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire. 5Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. 6And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. 7And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. 8And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes. 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. 10And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. 11As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. 12Turn

you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; 13When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. 14And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. 15The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. 16And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land. 17For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids (Zech. 9:1-17). The prophecy starts out with the overthrow of the kings of all Israels enemies! It talks about ridding the land of the oppressor! It talks about setting God up as the governor of Judah! Remember that Herod paid attention to prophecies at Jesus birth. Theyll no doubt hear about these prophecies and take the peoples reaction seriously. This is no less than insurrection; the people expect to be autonomous very shortly. The Pharisees want them to quit, but Jesus says no. He is the rightful King over all creation and it will be pronounced. This is important because in a few days Hell be dead. How will His disciples be comforted? How will they knew they can believe and be saved? How can the wicked have so much power? How can it look like Hes not in power? Well, He didnt come to destroy Rome, did He? No. He came to die and to save His people. His death was on purpose. The things that looked weak were all planned and on schedule. When He returns it will be with a sword and then Rome will fall with the rest of the nations. So when governments and those in authority oppress it doesnt cause us to give up hope: Hosanna! newgracebaptistchurch.wordpress.com