Palm Sunday 2024: John 12:1-19 – The Arrival of the King
What have you waited for with great anticipation?
A few weeks ago, my wife blessed me on my birthday by secretly arranging with the church to surprise me after the service with a birthday celebration. While this was a complete surprise to me, I could hear as I came walking down the stairs the anticipation for that moment of arrival at the party. You could hear the whispers of the people waiting and as I approached you could here some of the kids shout, “He is coming!” all leading to that final moment everyone shouts “SURPRISE!”
What have you waited for with anticipation in your life, waiting for the moment that anticipation would be finally realized?
The Jews in Jerusalem had been waiting a very long time, centuries, for God to reveal his king that comes in the line of David to them. As Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for Passover week in the Gospel of John, this excitement and anticipation over flows into this moment where Jesus arrives on the scene to a kingly reception. The one who they have been waiting for has arrived!
Main Idea:
Jesus, the king of all kings, has arrived!
Why (transformational intent of the passage)?:
So that we respond with love and devotion to God’s king who brings salvation to his people.
John 12:1-19: Jesus is the central figure of the story with people responding to the miraculous works he has done.
Mary’s Response to Jesus
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- In awe of the one who raised her brother from the dead.
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- She sits in devotion at this feet.
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- She proclaims Him as her king.
Judas’ Response to Jesus
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- Mocks and scoffs at what Mary has done.
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- Tries to elevate his false piety over true worship.
Chief Priests’ Response to Jesus
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- Anger and hatred that people are excited about Jesus.
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- They plot murder against the man Jesus raised from the dead.
The People’s Response to Jesus
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- Jesus is hailed like a king as he rides into the city.
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- The people cry out for salvation…from what?
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- The people will scatter and turn on Jesus.
The Pharisees’ Response to Jesus
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- Momentary exasperation…
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- Recognition that Jesus will draw people to himself.
How will we respond to Jesus?
- With mocking, scoffing and self righteous religion?
- With anger, hatred, and a desire to shut Jesus up?
- With surface deep recognition that Jesus is someone special?
- With exasperation and regret because he isn’t what we want Him to be?
OR
Will we come to the feet of Jesus, proclaiming him as the peace bringing king that he is. The king who brings peace between God and man, nailing our record of sin debt to the cross and delivering from us from the domain of darkness and adopting us as children of God.
This is the Jesus who has arrived in Jerusalem in John 12! This is the Jesus who calls the world to himself now. How will we respond to this Jesus?
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