Today’s Reading: John 12:12-50; Psalm 92

As Jesus was leaving Bethany to head to Jerusalem for the week of Passover, crowds began to meet him. Everyone wanted to see Jesus.

Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. That was the reason so many went out to meet him – because they had heard about this miraculous sign. Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!” – John 12:17-19

BECAUSE OF THE MIRACLES

The crowd was excited to greet Jesus because of all of the miracles they had either seen him perform or heard others talk about. They were drawn towards Jesus in anticipation of what he might do next. Some came with their own needs, hoping for a healing; some came out of curiosity, hoping to see something spectacular. Some believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah while others were still undecided.

A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,
“Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!”
Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem.
Look, your King is coming,
riding on a donkey’s colt.” – John 12:12b-15

We still see this reaction today — a what-can-Jesus-do-for-me approach to religion. But when we follow Christ with the expectation that life will be full of blessings and nothing will ever go wrong, we have a crisis of faith when life gets hard. And, as all of us can testify, life definitely gets hard.

But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted:
“Lord, who has believed our message?
To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? – John 12:37-38

DESPITE THE MIRACLES

Despite the fact that the lame were walking and the mute were talking, many remained skeptical. Despite the fact that the blind could see and the deaf could hear, many still struggled to believe that Jesus Christ of Nazareth could possibly be the promised Messiah. Their understanding was limited to the temporary things of this world instead of looking beyond to the eternal.

“Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” – John 12:23-26

As we finish up our Thanksgiving traditions and begin our celebration of Christmas, let’s maintain an attitude of thankfulness for all Jesus did for us through his birth, life, death and resurrection. Let’s live for how Jesus can work through us, rather than what God’s blessings could do for us. Let’s recognize the many blessings we daily have because of the generosity of our God, and let’s trust Him for all that He has yet to provide. Eyes focused on heaven, let’s praise the Lord for all He has done for us!

BECAUSE HE IS GOOD

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to the Most High.
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening,
accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp,
and the melody of a lyre.
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done.
O Lord, what great works you do!
And how deep are your thoughts.
Only a simpleton would not know,
and only a fool would not understand this:
Though the wicked sprout like weeds
and evildoers flourish,
they will be destroyed forever. – Psalm 92:1-7