John 12:9-19​

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9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13So 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!’
14Jesus 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!’
16His 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. 17So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.* 18It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. 19The Pharisees then said to one another, ‘You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him. 

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Reflection:​

The movie Miracle of 34th Street comes to mind as it points out the currency in the United States says, “In God We Trust.” I wonder who the Jews of Jesus’ day trusted in their hearts.

             

In ancient times, a king would enter a city on a horse to show power or coming for war. If the king were coming in peace, he would ride on a donkey. In today’s passage it is Passover. What we do not read is that Pilate most likely entered Jerusalem in full procession. He would have been on a horse leading the Roman Calvary and soldiers showing their Imperial power. Pilate would come to Jerusalem during times of Jewish festivals to prevent rebellion from the Jews.

 

John records here that Jesus and his disciples are also headed to Jerusalem. The predetermined time is near for Jesus’s sacrifice, and he rides in on the colt of a donkey, as prophesied in the Old Testament book Zechariah. He is coming as a king of peace. 

 

Zechariah 9:9-10

  [9] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

        Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

    Behold, your king is coming to you;

        righteous and having salvation is he,

    humble and mounted on a donkey,

        on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

    [10] I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim

        and the war horse from Jerusalem;

    and the battle bow shall be cut off,

        and he shall speak peace to the nations;

    his rule shall be from sea to sea,

        and from the River to the ends of the earth.

 

Traditionally, as Pilgrims would travel to the temple in Jerusalem for Passover they would sing Hosanna, the Hebrew word for “ Save us,” which is found in Psalm 18:25 and Psalm 118:26. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. On this occasion, they added the phrase “The King of Israel.” Cloaks were laid on the ground in front of a king so his animal wouldn’t touch the ground where the common folks walked. In the act of laying down their cloaks the Jewish people are proclaiming Jesus to be their earthly king. They are expecting a king who will choose to politically rescue them from Roman oppression. Jesus came to save all man by his love not by forceful power.

 

In the US, we are in a very important political year with the Presidential election this Fall. Each of us needs to ask, where is our trust? Are you  hoping for a political savior to “save” your way of life or keep your comfort zones intact? As a Christian in 2024, what does it mean for you to say, “In God I trust?”

 

Close this reflection time thoughtfully praying The Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13