A Donkey and a Lamb

Sunday Service

John 12:12-19

In John's account of the triumphal entry, we see how Jesus forced the hand of the religious leaders and left them with no other choice but to arrest and kill Him. Even though they were wanting to wait to dispose of Him until after the Passover, based on the timing of Jesus' entrance into the city, it is clear that God wanted Him to die during Passover when all of Israel was focused on the blood of the sacrificial lamb that each of them would have to kill to atone for their sins. Consequently, Jesus did not present Himself as their Conquering King who would free them from Rome, but He presented Himself as their Passover Lamb who would free them from sin.

This morning's text can be looked at in FOUR SECTIONS:

1. THE CORONATED KING (vv. 12-13)
Jesus rode into the city through the main gate in broad daylight. The Passover crowd, which was enormous, cut and layed down palm branches along the route that Jesus took. As He rode, the people cried out "Hosannah", which literally means "help us" (Psalm 113-118). The palm branches symbolized peace and victory (Revelation 7:9), so, the crowds in essence were proclaiming the coming of the promised Messiah.

2. THE COMPLETED PROPHECY (vv. 14-15)
The completion of the prophecy was rather anti-climatic. After being proclaimed to be the Messiah, Jesus proceeded to borrow a donkey so that He could use it to ride in on. Although this was not the picture of a mighty conquerer that the Jews were anticipating, it was perfect fulfillment of prophesy (Zach. 9:9). Jesus came not to be the mighty conquerer, but to offer Himself as a humble sacrifice. Jesus chose this manner of entry to declare His mission as Prince of Peace. His next coming will be that of mighty conquerer.

3. THE CONFUSED DISCIPLES (v. 16)
Even though the disciples probably knew the Old Testament scriptures very well and the prophesies concerning the coming Messiah, they remained ignorant that the Messiah would ride in on a donkey, and then be put to death, and finally resurrected from the dead. They did not fully grasp what was happening until the Holy Spirit was sent to help them understand (John 14:26; 16:12).

4. THE CONCERNED PHARISEES (vv. 17-19)
Among the crowds there was an electric atmosphere, which meant that everything the Pharisees tried to do to silence Jesus and to quell His popularity were unsuccessful. The Pharisees were concerned that if Jesus was allowed to continue as the proclaimed Messiah of the Jews there would be an uprising against Rome, that if unsuccessful, could possibly lead to the shut down or destruction of their temple and a halt to their worship by the Romans. Ironically, that is precisely the state that occurred after Jesus' death, and which persists to this day.

Praise God for sacrificing His Son Jesus Christ as your Passover lamb to cover your sins. Ask Him to illuminate you by His Holy Spirit so you can fully understand all that the Bible says about Jesus. Beg Jesus to give you His heart for the lost; that you would weep for them like He did and still does.