Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem

Reading Time: 7 Minutes

Jesus is blessed as he enters Jerusalem.

John 12.12-15 – The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—
the King of Israel!”

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written:

15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion.
Look, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

The word, hosanna, literally means, “save please.” The crowd was calling on Jesus to save them.

The crowd also blessed him with the highest blessing, when they said, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord — the King of Israel!”

We can imitate the crowd and ask Jesus for his salvation. Jesus’ ministry was characterized by three central acts: (1) healing people, (2) setting people free from demons, and (3) bringing a new way of life from God.

“Hosanna, save please,” is our cry for Jesus to to heal, to deliver from evil, and to bring people into his new life.

We also can give Jesus the highest blessing he is worthy to receive.

In my prayer time yesterday, I said this to God, “It seems like you live for us, for people.” I know God is bigger than to merely live for people, but on Good Friday it seemed like he existed just for us. The thoughts of my prayer time, yesterday, won’t stand the test of a theological exam. But, they do express my admiration for our loving God.

What is the highest praise you can give to Jesus today? Think about it and tell him about it.

Riding on a donkey

Zechariah 9.9 anticipated Jesus’ coming to Jerusalem and Jesus arrived just as was prophesied. While riding on a donkey, he revealed that he was coming in peace.

I hope you are using the stay-at-home time to increase times of prayer. As we consider the subject of Jesus and peace, please take a few minutes to worship and pray to Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace, using Isaiah 9.

Isaiah 9.6-7
6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

You are in good company if there are things you don’t understand.

John 12.16-19 – His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him.

17 So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. 18 It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him.

19 The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”

The disciples walked with Jesus every day. They ate their meals with him, listened to his teaching, saw miracles, and so much more. However, they didn’t understand the significance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Thank God, after the cross, the resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit, they understood.

I remember listening to Richard Foster several years ago. He has written some of the most influential books I have ever read. He is well educated and highly respected. I won’t forget his words, when he said, “I’m just an amateur follower of Jesus.”

Foster is a humble man, but he is also a very wise person. All of us are amateurs. None of us understands everything about Jesus. We’re in good company. Jesus disciples didn’t understand everything either. Let’s adopt a humble attitude toward what we know, and always be open to what the Holy Spirit is teaching us.

The world has gone after Jesus.

I am grateful for the last phrase of verse 19, because I am one of the people who has gone after Jesus as one of his followers. I expect if you are reading this, you are going after him, too. Praise God for the millions of people who have become followers of the Savior of the world.

Your Turn

On this day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, let’s worship our loving God. Let’s find in our hearts to give the highest blessing we can ascribe to him and declare it. You may want to use the words from Isaiah 9 to help you express your praise.

Also, let’s pray “Hosanna, save please.” As we pray this, we can include ourselves, family, friends, governmental leaders, suffering people worldwide, and more.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, we give you the highest praise. You are the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. We ask you to save our world by healing, delivering and bringing us into a transforming relationship with you.