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As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the city was alive with expectation. The great crowd that had gathered for the Passover feast took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!” (John 12:13). This was a moment of celebration, but beneath the surface lay a deeper, eternal significance. I. A Hail to the King At Passover, Jerusalem was filled with people—historian Josephus estimated that millions may have been present. Among them were key groups: Jesus’ disciples, local Jews, those who had witnessed Lazarus’ resurrection, Jews from outside Jerusalem, Greeks, religious leaders, and even Roman officials. Each one observed this extraordinary event, but not all truly understood its meaning. A. The Palms for the Savior Palm branches were a symbol of victory. In Jewish tradition, waving palms was a declaration of triumph. The crowd treated Jesus as a victorious king returning from battle. This imagery is echoed in Revelation 7:9, where a great multitude stands before the throne, clothed in white, holding palm branches in their hands, praising God for salvation. B. The Plea to Save The people cried, “Hosanna!”—a plea for immediate salvation. They wanted deliverance from Roman oppression, yet Jesus came not to conquer Rome but to conquer sin. Their expectation was political; His mission was spiritual. Today, we continue to praise Him for the salvation He brings, knowing that our ultimate victory is in Him. II. The Humbleness of the KingJohn 12:14-15 tells us that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a young donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy: “Behold, your king is coming…lowly and riding on a donkey.” Unlike earthly kings who enter with displays of power, Jesus came in humility, offering peace. A. The Perfect Timing of His Ride Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was not random. Daniel 9:24-27 prophesied that from the command to rebuild Jerusalem until the arrival of the Messiah, 483 prophetic years would pass—ending precisely on the day of Jesus’ triumphal entry in 32 A.D. His timing was divine, demonstrating God’s sovereign plan for redemption B. The Plan of Redemption At the time, even His disciples did not fully grasp the significance of these events. John 12:16 says they only understood later, after Jesus was glorified. Like them, we often fail to see God’s purposes in the moment, but hindsight reveals His perfect plan. Jesus entered Jerusalem to fulfill prophecy, to suffer, and to rise again—offering salvation to all who believe. III. The Hate for the King A. The Marveling Crowd Many had witnessed Jesus’ miracles, especially the raising of Lazarus, and eagerly proclaimed His power. They were testifying to what they had seen and experienced. As believers, we are called to do the same—simply sharing what we know about Jesus and the transformation He has brought into our lives. B. The Malicious Crowd However, not all rejoiced. The religious leaders saw Jesus as a threat. Their hearts, hardened by pride, refused to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. The same resistance exists today—many reject Christ, not for lack of evidence, but because of unwillingness to submit to Him. ConclusionAre we like those who hailed Jesus as King with temporary excitement, only to turn away when expectations weren’t met? Or are we truly surrendered to Him as Lord and Savior?
A humble missionary in China once described herself as “the Lord’s donkey”—simply carrying Christ wherever she went. This mindset is key for all believers. We are not the object of praise; Jesus is. Like the donkey who bore Jesus into Jerusalem, our greatest purpose is to lift Him high. Without Jesus, we are nothing. With Him, we carry the King of Glory into a world that desperately needs Him. Will you be His faithful witness today?
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The raising of Lazarus should have been the undeniable proof of Jesus’ power. He had just demonstrated His dominion over death, showing that He was indeed the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Yet instead of leading to universal belief, this miracle sealed Jesus’ fate. John 11:53 says, “Then from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.” The religious leaders feared that if Jesus continued performing signs, people would believe in Him, and they would lose their power. They were more concerned with their position than with the truth. ronically, the high priest Caiaphas unknowingly prophesied the very purpose of Christ’s mission. “It is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11:50). He meant it politically—hoping to prevent conflict with the Romans—but God meant it eternally. Jesus would indeed die for the people, not to preserve their earthly nation, but to save them from sin and gather God’s children into one family (John 11:51-52). This moment reveals a sobering truth: people respond to Jesus in only two ways. Some humble themselves and believe (John 11:45), while others harden their hearts and reject Him (John 11:46). Faith requires trust, not just in the signs, but in Christ Himself. Jesus’ journey to the cross was not an accident or a tragedy—it was God’s plan of redemption unfolding. He is our Passover Lamb, sacrificed for our sins (1 Corinthians 5:7). The question is, how will you respond to the truth? Will you entrust yourself to Jesus, or will you, like the religious leaders, resist Him? The cross was always the plan. The only question is, will you believe?
In John 11:38-45, we witness one of the most powerful miracles in Jesus' ministry—the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This event is not just a demonstration of Christ’s ability to perform miracles, but a profound revelation of His divine authority over life and death. Jesus Has the Power Over DeathWhen Jesus arrives at Lazarus’ tomb, He is deeply moved. Death is a reality of our fallen world, but Christ came to conquer it. He commands the stone to be rolled away, despite Martha’s concern about the stench of her brother’s four-day-old grave. Then, with divine authority, Jesus calls out, “Lazarus, come forth!”—and Lazarus walks out of the tomb, alive! This act is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ ultimate victory over death through His own resurrection. Jesus Removes BarriersBefore performing the miracle, Jesus challenges unbelief. “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). Often, we place barriers between ourselves and God’s power—whether it’s doubt, fear, or past experiences. But Christ calls us to trust Him beyond what we can see. Jesus Demonstrates the Power of PrayerBefore calling Lazarus forth, Jesus prays, thanking the Father for already hearing Him. His prayer is not for His own benefit, but so that those around might believe in Him. This reminds us that prayer is not just about making requests—it’s about aligning our hearts with God’s will and believing in His power. Jesus Gives New LifeWhen Lazarus emerges from the tomb, he is still wrapped in grave clothes. Jesus instructs those around him, “Loose him, and let him go” (John 11:44). This is a picture of salvation. When Christ calls us from spiritual death, we are given new life, but we must also remove the remnants of our old ways. Believe and LiveMany who witnessed this miracle believed in Jesus. The same invitation is extended to us today—do we believe in His power to give us life? The resurrection of Lazarus points to the greater resurrection of Christ, through whom we have eternal life. Jesus not only has power over death, but He offers that victory to all who trust in Him. Will you believe?
John 11:28-37 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” John 11:28-37 recounts a powerful moment in the life and ministry of Jesus, where we see not only His dominion over death but also His deep compassion for those who are suffering. This passage brings us to a pivotal point in the story of Lazarus, as Jesus interacts with Mary and the grieving crowd, demonstrating His heartfelt pity. Jesus Calls Us in Our CalamityWhen Mary was mourning her brother’s death, Martha came to her and said, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you” (John 11:28). Even in the midst of sorrow, Jesus calls us to Himself. His voice is present in our pain, offering hope and comfort. Do we recognize His voice in our struggles? Romans 8:16 reminds us, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” We must listen for His call, just as Mary did, and respond with faith. We Come to Him to Be Comforted Mary’s response was immediate—she arose quickly and came to Jesus. She knew where true comfort was found. The Bible assures us in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 that God is the “Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” When we face hardship, we must seek Him, knowing that He alone can provide the peace our hearts long for. As Mary reached Jesus, she fell at His feet, saying, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32). Her words echo the cry of many hearts—longing for God’s intervention in suffering. Yet, even in her sorrow, she came to the right place: the feet of Jesus. Like Mary, we are invited to come to Him with a hearing heart, a hurting heart, and an honoring heart. Jesus Weeps With Us John 11:35, the shortest verse in Scripture, carries profound meaning: “Jesus wept.” His tears were not a sign of helplessness but of deep compassion. He groaned in His spirit, moved by the pain of those around Him. His reaction shows us that God is not distant from our suffering; He enters into it with us. Jesus’ response to death and sorrow reminds us that He understands our grief. Hebrews 4:15-16 tells us that we have a High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses, inviting us to approach Him for mercy and grace in our time of need. The Invitation to Trust Through this passage, we see a Savior who not only has power over death but also a heart that is tender toward the brokenhearted. Mary’s story encourages us to listen for Jesus’ call, come to Him for comfort, and trust in His compassionate heart. No matter what sorrow we face, we can be assured that Jesus is near, weeping with us and working for our good.
Will you trust Him today? He calls you to come, to believe, and to live. John 11:18-27 (NKJV) Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” In John 11, we witness one of the most powerful moments in Jesus’ earthly ministry—His dominion over death as He raises Lazarus from the grave. This chapter reveals the depth of Christ’s love, His divine power, and His promise of eternal life. Today, we focus on John 11:18-27, where Jesus assures Martha that He is “the resurrection and the life.” The Painful Reality of DeathDeath is an inescapable reality. We all experience the sting of loss, just as Martha and Mary did when their brother Lazarus died. They had prayed, they had hoped, and yet their brother succumbed to illness. Their grief is evident when both sisters tell Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21, 32). Like them, we sometimes struggle to understand God’s timing. But Jesus had a greater plan—one that would reveal His power in a way they had never imagined. The Promise of HopeEven in her grief, Martha demonstrates remarkable faith. She declares, “But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You” (John 11:22). She believes in Jesus’ ability to intercede but does not yet grasp the fullness of His power. Jesus responds with a life-changing promise: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). This is the heart of the gospel. Eternal life is not just a future hope—it is a present reality for those who believe in Christ. A Present ReminderMartha believed in a future resurrection, but Jesus was calling her to trust in Him now. He was not just a teacher of life—He is life itself. This truth remains for us today. Jesus’ resurrection power is not limited to a distant event. It is active in our lives, transforming our hearts and assuring us of our eternal hope. When we place our faith in Him, death is no longer the end but a passage into everlasting life. Do You Believe This?Jesus’ question to Martha is the same one He asks each of us: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). The promise of resurrection is not just a theological concept—it is a personal invitation to trust in Christ completely.
As we reflect on this passage, let us anchor our faith in Jesus, the One who has dominion over death. In Him, we find not only hope for the future but life abundantly in the present. |
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