17 The people who had been with Jesus when he called Lazarus out of the grave and raised him from death had reported what had happened.
18 That was why the crowd met him — because they heard that he had performed this miracle.
19 The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, we are not succeeding at all! Look, the whole world is following him!”
Today is Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus triumphantly entered into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Most of us are very familiar with the story and can probably recite it almost word for word.
I like this version from John’s gospel, especially this from the Good News Bible. The reason why is that it tells us why the crowds were there. In verse 18, it was because they had heard about the miracle that He had performed, the one of raising Lazarus from the dead. If you had been around at the time and heard this story I’m sure that you would have wanted to go and see whom this great teacher, healer and miracle worker was. I would.
It fascinates me when I realise that a lot of the people completely missed the point of Jesus’ messages. They missed the point of the miracles, the parables, the healings and His teaching. They did not want a great teacher but a great leader who would overthrow the Romans and give Judea back to the Jews. Their requirements were purely materialistic and one might say patriotic. They wanted someone whom they could thrust to the front of the crowd and the leaders, Pharisees and Roman occupiers would listen to Him and be afraid. This was not why Jesus came though. He came to save the people, but not from the oppressors, lawmakers and powerful governors. He came to save them from an even more powerful and evil force. The Devil himself. He is the one that ruins lives, plants evil thoughts into the minds of men and women and creates a world of fear and deceit. He is the one of whom we need to be most afraid.
Did He succeed? You can judge for yourself when you look around the world today. Jesus has many followers today as He did when He was on earth. The similarity of the two eras is striking. Some love Him passionately but are afraid to make a fuss about their love and belief. Others want to make a huge fuss and make everyone aware of whom He is. Others want to follow at a safe distance, acknowledging Him and His power but prefer to stay in the background, speaking to people quietly and their Saviour.
Verse 19 gives me great hope and encouragement.
The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, we are not succeeding at all! Look, the whole world is following him!”
What a wonderful world it will be when the whole world IS following Him.
What a wonderful world it will be when the Devil himself acknowledges that he is “not succeeding at all”
Pray for that time, a time that surely cannot be to far away. A time when Jesus will come again with a great crowd surrounding Him and shouting “Hosanna, Glory to God.”
“Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! V13b
Where are you in the crowd?
Front, centre or at the back?
Wherever you are, make sure that the reason you are there is true.
Be there for what He has done for you.
