John 12:17-19 - So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to tell others about Him. 18 For this reason the crowd went to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this [miraculous] sign. 19 Then the Pharisees [argued and] said to one another, “You see that your efforts are futile. Look! The whole world has gone [running] after Him!”
Lord You are mighty, wonderful, and awesome. May you be glorified in this day. Thank You for walking me day by day through this week. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Quick recap on where we're at in this adventure. Chapter Twelve started off just six days before the Passover feast and Jesus was back in the town of Bethany for a feast with Lazarus, Martha, Mary, and others. Now, keep in mind this is only about two miles from Jerusalem and once again the religious leaders know of it. They even decide to try and kill Lazarus because he's part of the reason many are coming to Jesus. The next day Jesus heads over to Jerusalem (45-60 min walk). There He is met with a large crowd, laying down palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!". He's riding in on the donkey, and it's a joyous moment as He comes one step closer to the cross.
We see in today's verses there are three types of people who show up because of Jesus' arrival.
First, we see those who had seen Jesus, heard Him, believed in Him, followed Him, and they are focused on telling others about Him and all He's done. So, they were focused on others and wanting them to know all about Jesus, who He is, what He's done.
Second, we see the crowd show up because they heard about Jesus doing miracles. Crowd in the Greek is ochlos and means: a casual collection of people; a multitude of men who have flocked together in some place, a throng. Most of this casual throng are those who don't necessarily care to know Jesus, they want to know what Jesus can do for them.
Third, we find the Pharisees, who have plotted to kill Jesus and now Lazarus too, arguing with one another. Their fear that if Jesus were left alone everyone would believe in Him was appearing to come true right in their very city. They were distraught, angry, and fearful over Jesus showing up. He was rocking the boat, upsetting their place, their nation. These men were so self-centered they couldn't see the very Son of God, the Christ, riding on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy they'd memorized. These men knew God's Word inside and out, yet they did not know God, and they refused to accept all their eyes, ears, and minds had taken in about the Son of God.
Christian, where do you find yourself in these three categories of people, who all are there because of Jesus? We know Jesus is the reason you show up, but where do you stand?
Are you out following Jesus, focused on others, telling of His goodness, love, mercy, holiness, salvation, repentance, etc…?
Are you in the middle, drawn to wherever the miracles are, where things are "moving", hoping to catch a feeling, an emotion, an experience, a healing?
Are you standing firm on a checklist of religious things that brings you safety, control, and a feeling of accomplishment in what you've done, while rejecting others who do not conform to your exact to-do list?
We all want to auto-answer and say we're the ones out there following Jesus, but this is something deep that needs to be addressed with God directly for each person. We've seen you can know God's Word, you can do things from God's Word, you can speak of God's Word, and miss completely on genuinely KNOWING, WALKING, and LIVING a life intimately intertwined with Him. If you don't KNOW that you KNOW Jesus, then read First John and talk to the Lord today! Reach out to a brother or sister in Christ who you know will give you bible based conversation as well!
That's where the adventure went with the Lord this morning. Don't take my word on anything, be the Berean and get into your bible. Let God show you directly!
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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