Gospel of John - The Voices are Raised

       

The Voices Are Raised

John 12:12-22

Many times in our days, people congregate without truly understanding the ramifications of all that is happening or the effects their voices and meetings will have on their lives and those of all who live. We believe we are being proactive, thinking we know the consequences and the predicted outcomes of our actions and words, but  in the end we become reactive like the rest of the world. Only God knows what He wills and desires for his creation, and all the effects of our actions and words will have on us and others will only fulfill his purpose.

This is the story of the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Only a few knew what was to transpire during the feasts and festivals, that this feast wouldn’t be like any other that ever took place since the first feast with Moses and the newly freed Israelites from Egypt.  Let’s begin with the first part of our text, “The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.”

With the waving of the palm branches as symbols of joy and triumph, the people heard through the grapevine that Jesus was on the way into Jerusalem. In the excitement of the festival, they paved the way with their cloaks and outerwear on the ground, and with palm branches in hand, waved them in celebration of the One who came as prophesied. Earlier that morning, Jesus had told the disciples to go and get a certain donkey and the donkey’s colt (Matt. 21:2-3) for him to use. The Psalms of Ascent would be sung as the pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem and the temple during the feasts. The pilgrims knowing that Jesus was coming began shouting Psalms 118:25-26, “Lord, save us!  Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.” 

Jesus, knowing that this was his final week in this world, would face many emotions. As he entered as a humble servant king on a donkey (Zech. 9:9), he wasn’t gleeful, but sorrowful, which would turn to anger, and afflicted by their unbelief. He wept over the city of Jerusalem as he entered, “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.”  Lk. 19:41 and later in the week, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Matt. 23:37-39 

  The disciples, as they were walking alongside and behind Jesus, listened to the people’s praise and wondered what would happen during this feast, for they had said they came to die with Jesus because the Pharisees had already tried to stone Jesus before, and here the people had broken out in praise instead of anger. Later that week, Jesus would tell them he came to Jerusalem to die in fulfillment of the Father’s will. They couldn’t process all that was occuring, they just reacted to the moments.

Application - I’m not one to be in the midst of large crowds, but there is an aurora of expectation in the words and excitement of the large events. People will sometimes do things that they never intended to do. They are caught up in the emotions and exuberance of the moment. At these times we find ourselves swayed by the crowd, we are gripped and mesmerized by the wave of excitement and adulation.

We are called to give God all praise, and to glorify the Son. And when you are amongst a large crowd of believers, you want God to hear your voice, so you shout with the rest of the thong. As they raise their hands in exaltation, you find your arms lifted up as well. For you don’t want to be outdone by a rock! 

One day, Jesus again will come as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. All knees will bow and all tongues will confess that he is Lord. At the Jubilation of that moment, it will be deafening in heaven and earth. “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand – thousands times thousands  all of whom were singing in a loud voice: “Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise!”  Then I heard every creature – in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that is in them – singing: “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power forever and ever!” And the four living creatures were saying “Amen,” and the elders threw themselves to the ground and worshiped.” (Rev. 5:11-14) “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15)

I can’t truly understand and comprehend that moment, but as I’m caught up in the wave of praise to Lord and Savior. I will not be silent. I will shout my praise to the one who saved me (Hosanna).

Next, Jesus and the disciples were inundated with festive followers from all over Israel and other countries of the world. Let’s read the rest of the text, “Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.”

Jesus saw that the crowd and the singing was increasing because the word of the works of God that had been done in Bethany (Lazarus’ resurrection) had spread. The Pharisees were seething over the praise and exaltations for Jesus’ coming. They reprimanded Jesus for allowing the disciples and followers as well as the children’ to praise him, only to be reprimanded themselves by the Word of God, “the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,“ ‘From the lips of children and infants, you, Lord, have called forth your praise’ g ?” Matt. 21:15-16 and  “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”  “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Lk. 19:39-40

Jesus continued his triumphal entrance all the way to the temple in Jerusalem, and the Pharisees watched with indignation towards Jesus, his disciples, and all who followed. Their plan to arrest Jesus failed, and it seemed to them that everyone was believing in Jesus as the Messiah. This only strengthened their resolve to kill Jesus. For even the jewish people from other countries were seeking to meet with Jesus. 

Application - It is interesting, some reserved and staunch religious people complained when David rejoiced with dancing, singing, shouting when the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem from Abinadab’s and Obed Edom’s “David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals…David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” 2 Sam. 6:5,14-15

But it was this type of worship, David felt for God. It is this type of heart David was commended for. David loved and desired to please God and to do whatever was asked of him. David rejoiced in the Lord. It was in this atmosphere of praise the people of Israel praised their Savior, Messiah. They wouldn’t be silenced. 

But the enemy of God also knew the outcome of praise to Jesus wasn’t what he desired either. For He had blinded the hearts and eyes of the religious leaders and their intent to arrest and kill Jesus seemed to be fading away. Even some of the Pharisees were silently believing in Jesus, though they wouldn’t join the thong of praise because they were afraid of what others would think and say, “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” 12:42-43

What is keeping the church from openly worshiping Jesus as they did that day in Jerusalem? When the masses meet for a sporting, or music, or protesting event, can you imagine telling them to be silent? No! For they had come to exalt, participate, and loudly express their support. They have a heart for these events. So where would you have stood if you had been in Jerusalem that day, when the Savior came? 

We may want to practice this type of worship. For one day soon, we will join the saints and angels in exuberant worship. Jesus is worthy of all praise: boisterous, reverent, and loud with shouting or kneeling in submission and awe. For He is the One who paid the price for our souls, to save us from sin and death.

 

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

I am developing a new webpage on Spiritual warfare. Please give it a look. I’m adding answers each week to questions that pertain to our time today.  Thank you

http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com