TEXT: John 12:12-19
READING: Isaiah 62:1-12
SUBJ: The glorious and very public entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem the Sunday before the crucifixion.
AIM: That we might witness His declaration of Himself as the Messiah, His determination to do the will of the Father, and the challenge to the enemies of God.
INTR: The event before us is well-known and of great significance in that it stands at the head of the final week of our Lord’s pre-crucifixion ministry. It is to be noted that the account of John is the shortest of the four but is in keeping with the theme of Deity in John. It is popularly referred to as Palm Sunday.
1. It reveals a marked change in our Lord’s public ministry in that He not only appeared in public despite the threats; He encouraged the accolades given Him at this time. Cf. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. (Isaiah 42:2).
2. He brought to bear again the prophecies of old.
3. It had been the intent of the religious leaders to quietly and discretely kill Him and to avoid the Passover celebration, but He would have none of it. There was submission to His directive, submission by the owners of the colt, and submission of the colt.
THESIS: When all was over the preponderance of evidence would have been provided to an unbelieving world and would be presented so that even they could not deny Him – only reject Him and this they did!
I. A reception by a multitude (vv. 12-13)
1. In fact, there were two groups that attended His entry into Jerusalem.
1) As He departed Bethany after the meal the evening before many came with Him
2) And they had evidently sent others to announce that He was coming.
2. He was being treated as royalty as such was indicated by the palm branches and their actions of subservience.
1) Consider that some connect the feast of Tabernacles: And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. Leviticus 23:40.
2) Indeed, the palm was a tree of enduring longevity, beautiful flowers and was symbolic of long life and was often associated with kings.
3. The cries of Hosanna! (Lord save us now or as Gill, “save I beseech”) and Blessed be the King of Israel find their roots in the Psalms:
1) Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. Psalms 118:25-26
2) Sad to say that these prophetic words were soon to be realized, but not in the way they thought.
II. A Biblical confirmation of His identity (vv. 14-15)
1. A prophesied colt noting specifically that Jacob in blessing Judah and Zechariah is prophesying deliverance both referenced this.
1) A most important act of submission (and we note that they were often employed as a means of conveyance)
2) There was symbolism in that the ass was seen to indicate a person of peace whereas horses were associated with war – The Prince of Peace rode this one.
3) This one was predestinated to be at a specific location, known to the Lord and He worked in the hearts of the keepers to make the provision of an unbroken colt – It is said that animals used in conjunction with sacrifice could not have been used in other tasks? And the colt may have been redeemed.
2. In this way humility was indicated and dignity was maintained, and He was declared to be King.
3. A promise confirmed – fear not!
III. A scene of worship and confusion (vv. 16-18)
1. John included himself among those who did not understand until after the Lord was glorified.
1) They, like the crowd, were still expecting the setting up of a political kingdom.
2) They then remembered both what was written and that they had been constrained to do what was necessary (getting the colt, etc.)
2. The witnesses to the raising of Lazarus continued to bear witness and many others were thus anxious to see Him and believed that such power could prevail over the Romans.
3. Why then did these same people a short time later cry out for His crucifixion?
1) The Lord is able to suppress the effects of evil in the hearts of men at which time the things of the Lord looks good.
2) Also, many have acted as did the brethren of Joseph and so fulfill divine purpose as His bidding.
4. We must be fixed on Him and not on religion and government systems!!
IV. Another mindless prophecy (v.19)
1. The sad reference from Luke: And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. (Luke 19:41-42).
2. They thought to berate the moderate element and goad them into harsher action believing they were losing their hold on the people.
3. In less than two months their words would come to reality as the Spirit empowered Gospel would conquer the hearts of many!
