The Beginning of the End


John 12:9-19
9When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. 12The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, 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 about him and had been done to him. 17The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

Our story arrives at what is now called “Holy Week”. The movement of Jesus into Jerusalem for the final week of His life begins with that famous parade of one Man on the back of a donkey colt, being lauded and praised by the people who have watched His ministry with fascination. Even in this event Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled. Sadly, not only is Jesus life threatened, but so is that of the newly resurrected Lazarus. Instead of recognizing Jesus as the Lord and Messiah the Pharisees viciously hold onto their own power base and seek His death in earnest.

One cannot help but marvel at the tenacious hold the Pharisees have on their social status and lifestyle. Instead of shaking my head in amazement, perhaps I should look at my own life and see what I hold onto so tightly in my own life. Where am I intractable? We all have our issues and it serves us well to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal them and teach us how to deal with them. I’ve spent the last 5 days in the school of “family management and communication”. I still have much to learn and God has drawn me to a newer, quieter place. It’s time to hold less tenaciously onto my own ideas and give other people a little space to breathe and think. I’m a little surprised by the meditative path God has taken me on this morning but I am grateful for it.

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