John 12:12-15 – The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:“Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!”Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
There may have been as many as 2.5 million people crammed into Jerusalem that day. There had been similar crowds in years past but something was different this year as people from all over the Mediterranean world had gathered to celebrate Passover. The talk and the sense of miracles was everywhere. It was as if Jesus was making a statement without any words as He rode the donkey into the city of Jerusalem. Clinging closely to the donkey was a close friend of Jesus. His name was Lazarus and he had recently had an encounter with death. What was his message? Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. All that believe on Him shall live even if they die. Not far away was the little boy who shared his lunch with the crowd gathered to hear Jesus teach God’s word, He was saying Jesus is the Bread of Life. Then there was the man from the temple who was born blind and had been healed, His message was Jesus is the Light of the World. Close by was the woman named Photina from Samaria. All she kept saying was something about Living Water that would satisfy your soul.
On the other side of the donkey across from Lazarus was Lazarus’ sister Mary. She seemed to be at the epicenter of this fragrance that was permeating the atmosphere, she sang quietly, “His Name is like ointment poured out”. Then the fisherman, Simon Peter himself came walking by with a sense of confidence and expectancy, He was crying out that Jesus was the promised Lord of the Harvest and the harvest of the earth was at hand. Then suddenly every eye was on Mary, the mother of Jesus. No one dared to question her; she knew for certain that her Son was the Word who became flesh, the only Son of God. Toward the back of the spontaneous parade was a well known teacher and leader in Israel. He had the most shocking message of all to share with the people gathered that day in Jerusalem. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life”.
