PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS
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In our devotions for this week, we are going to look into the events and activities surrounding each day of this week, leading up to Goof Friday. This week is often referred to as Holy Week, and today is known as Holy Monday. Each day has a name of some kind, pointing to the events that took place on that day. As the gospel writers were not aware that we would one day want to categorize every event of this week, some of the actions from this last week seem to bleed over into other days. But let’s be happy we have such a wealth of truth from which we can learn together.
Even though today is Monday, we are going to start our study by looking at the significance of the Palm Sunday events from the perspective of John’s gospel.
Lazarus
But before we dive in, let’s rewind just a bit and catch the conclusion of the events surrounding the resurrection of Lazarus, a man known well by all of the disciples and by a large number of people living in the town of Bethany and the city of Jerusalem.
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
(John 12:9-11 NIV11)
Publicly Attested
Just like the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the news of Lazarus’ death and return to life made headlines. Everyone in the area surrounding Jerusalem and Bethany heard about what Jesus of Nazareth did when he called Lazarus’ name, and the dead man came walking out of the grave.
No Denial
The chief priests of the Jewish people, those who would eventually put Jesus on trial, did not make any effort to combat the clear and obvious miracle that took place when Jesus Christ called Lazarus back to life. They knew Lazarus, and they were present at his home because of his death. They were there when Lazarus stumbled out of the grave. They saw the miracle and did not deny what the Lord had done.
Blatant Jealousy
The chief priests, who were supposed to help the people draw nearer to the Lord through their teaching of the Word of God and their witness of faith, saw all that the Lord did, and they became jealous. They saw how many people were turning to Jesus Christ and placing their faith in him as their Lord and Savior, and they grew envious.
This envy and jealousy led them to not only plot the murder of God’s Anointed Messiah, but also this good man that everyone loved, named Lazarus.
Next
Next, we turn back to John’s description of what happened as Jesus came into Jerusalem after the resurrection of Lazarus:
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 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!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”
16 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.
17 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. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
(John 12:12-19 NIV11)
Crowd
The people who welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem knew what they were doing. The use of palm branches as a sign of kingly authority and respect dates back to the time of Judah Ben Maccabee, the Jewish leader who helped win a portion of independence for the people of Israel during the period found between the new and old testaments.
These people witnessed how God worked through Jesus as Lazarus was raised, and they were ready to welcome Jesus into their nation and into their own hearts as the Messiah. Perhaps they did not understand all that this would mean, but they responded to the authority and presence of Jesus Christ with praise and worship.
Donkey
The Messiah was not supposed to enter into Jerusalem on a war horse after conquering the enemies of Israel; instead, he was to present himself in humility as he rode into town on a young donkey.
If in the moment, the crowd and the disciples did not understand all that this meant, they eventually caught on after the death and resurrection of Jesus. They eventually understood that the Savior came for something much larger than a nation or a political entity. He came to bear the sins of those who turned to him in faith. A gift worthy of much more praise than winning a battle or taking on the title of an earthly ruler.
Whole World
I cannot help but scratch my head in confusion over the response of the religious leaders who witnessed all that the Lord was doing through Jesus and concluded that the right next step for them was to try to kill him at the next most convenient moment.
They complained that too many people were placing their trust and faith in Jesus and that Jesus was doing “too well” at meeting their spiritual, physical, and emotional needs. I do not get that response to Jesus, but then again, I do not understand why I choose rebellion and sin either.
Today
As we head out into the day, let us reflect on the scene of Jesus Christ, being cheered and celebrated as he entered his last week of ministry as the earthly Messiah.
- If the Lord walked through your front door right now, how would you respond?
- Would you burst forth in song, or would you be annoyed that he was interrupting your day?
- Make the choice to lift up your gratitude and joy before the Lord as you go through your day.
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Senior Pastor at PARK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
Worked at MTN. CHURCH
Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church
Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at Baylor University
Studied at Texas Tech University
Went to Castle Hills First Baptist
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