Based on John 12:12-19 (New King James Version)
The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!’ Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: ‘Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.’ His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, ‘You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!’”
“Love is a commitment that will be tested in the most vulnerable areas of spirituality, a commitment that will force you to make some very difficult choices. It is a commitment that demands that you deal with your lust, your greed, your pride, your power, your desire to control, your temper, your patience, and every area of temptation that the Bible clearly talks about. It demands the quality of commitment that Jesus demonstrates in His relationship to us.” Ravi Zacharias.
While reading this passage, it made me think of something: “What was the reason for why these people followed Jesus? This was the earthly moment that Jesus was treated somewhat similar or like (but not completely) He should have always been treated, as the only begotten Son of God. Some folks that might believe themselves to be very knowledgeable, when reading the detail in the words, they might say: “The Scriptures needed to be fulfilled; that’s the reason for that moment.” And of course, it’s true. But, let’s dig a little deeper, to a personal level. Even though it was the fulfillment of Scriptures, there is also a personal issue. As we understand in the Scriptures, God is in control of everything; everything that occurs is based on God’s will, but within the large wheels (per se) of God’s power and will, there exists a personal answer to what God is doing.
Let’s dig even a little deeper. Through the Gospels, we see that people followed and praised the Lord because the Lord had done something they considered great. It could have been a healing, casting out a demon, a sign, giving them food, etc. In this particular moment, these multitudes were following Him because of the great sign and miracle he had done which was raising Lazarus from among the dead (because he was buried for four days). This had never happened before. And, this sign meant to all this people that Jesus was someone powerful and great, a Being that showed them the potential of changing all of their personal problems, a Being that would raise Israel from the ashes they found themselves in, a Being that maybe was so mighty that He could free them from the Roman Empire. In summary, this Jesus seemed like the answer to everything earthly that they wanted: to transform Israel into a world power where none of them had any kind of need; and why not, even making them prosperous. He would be the Messiah that they so desired (not necessarily the One that was written of). They thought He would be able to establish for them a new golden age, an even greater one than the one King David gave them.
Why am I saying what I am saying? The progress of time later demonstrated what was truly in their hearts. And again, we do know that everything must be fulfilled, but there is always a personal response within the fulfillment of things. The Bible (and history) shows us that just a few days later, all of that great worship would have a very quick ending. When the Lord was arrested, there was no one by His side, not even His most faithful disciples, for it is written: “…Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” Matthew 26:56b. When the moment of truth came, absolutely everyone abandoned the Lord. They left Him alone. Where were these great multitudes that were raising their voices saying, “Hosanna!”? Where were all of those people holding palm branches? What happened even with those folks that had left everything to follow Him? Well, what happened was that He stopped seeming great in their eyes. He was not doing the things they considered great. I believe that all of them, and maybe even more so, His disciples were waiting to see another great sign, that legions of angels show up to protect Him. But, none of that happened. So then, everything changed in a moment. The only ones that were faithful until the cross were but a few, for it is also written: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:25-27. So then, out of the multitudes that followed Him, only four people remained with Him at the foot of the cross. And what was most ironic out of everything was that at that moment, He was performing a sign, a great act, the greatest demonstration of what God could do for humanity. He was making the impossible possible: the salvation of all mankind through His death. This surpassed everything He had done before. And this act of dying on the cross, and the pouring out of His blood would leave us an open path to the God of the Universe and to eternal life.
Today, many people say they believe in Jesus. Furthermore, statistics say that approximately 31.5% of the world is of Christian faith. In other words, of the 7.2 billion inhabitants in the world, 2.268 billion profess to believe in the Lord. Now then, if we are so many, what is happening? Why is there so much evil, so much sin, so much disorder? So, one has to think, “Why does this great number of people believe in Jesus?” Sadly, not much has changed since the Lord was on the cross. Many believe in Him for different reasons, for the reasons that only they know. But, when the moment of truth comes, everything changes; from the moment a person decides not to do what pleases God, and that’s why we see what we see today (sin, evil, disorder, etc.). The Bible tells us that the end is coming, and at that time, the Church of Christ will be persecuted worldwide, in every corner of the planet. How many will be left then? And here is where Ravi Zachariah’s quote comes into the picture. The only thing that is true and that will last forever is the commitment to “love” the Lord. Love (the type the Bible talks about) is everything. Mary, her sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene, and John loved the Lord. Everyone else, including those disciples closest to Him followed Him for temporary reasons. And the Word says that we must love the Lord, and that only those that love the Lord will have eternal life and eternal reward.
Now then, and always looking into the personal side, turning to free will, why are you following Jesus? Lord bless! John