Counting Down

John 12:12 – 18 “The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast 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!”

Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,”Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”

At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him.

I’m a little hesitant to write about this glorious scene. Oh, not because of what happened here, but because of what comes next.

You see, the above scene marked the beginning of the end.

We have just witnessed the start of Jesus’ final week on this earth.

And though the people who were actually there had no idea what was in store, we know, don’t we?

The word had spread. Jesus had brought a man back from the dead. They knew He was the One they had waited for, all these years! Their promised Messiah had come!

But they had the wrong idea. They wanted an earthly king who would bring them to political greatness. They had no use for some pauper who was only concerned about spiritual things.

As much as I want to look at those people and call them fools, I can’t. I have no idea how I would have reacted in the same situation.

Sometimes, I have ideas and expectations of God that aren’t accurate. Then, when He doesn’t do what I want or expect, I become upset. Like the people we will read about over the next few weeks, I have thrown fits and demanded justice. I have failed to see God for who He really is.

Loving. Just. Wise. Compassionate. Caring. Perfect.

Holy.

Oh, God forgive me for being so fickle with my love and my loyalty. Forgive me for praising You with one breath, only to be angry with You when You don’t do what I want or expect. Help me to recognize You for Who You are, instead of who I want You to be.

And Lord, I do praise You. In this moment, I praise You.

Amen