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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
“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.’ His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.” (John 12.12-16).
Our focus will begin by turning to the shouts of the multitudes as Jesus entered Jerusalem during the final Passover season of His earthly ministry. First, they cried out the word Hosanna which literally means “save now” (possibly quoting from Psalm 118.25). Secondly, they made reference to blessings that would reside on “…He who comes in the name of the LORD.” This is an obvious quotation from the next verse in the book of Psalms, (Psalm 118.26). However, the expression “The King of Israel” is an interjection of the multitude and not a quotation from the Old Testament. It is this latter statement that we shall consider for the remainder of this message.
When Jesus of Nazareth was crucified, Pilate had the words, “King of the Jews” written on a placard and attached to the cross. This tri-lingual sign (inscribed in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew) angered the Jews who then besought Pilate to change the wording to state that Jesus only claimed to be King of the Jews. Pilate refused and the words stood. What possible information did Pilate have that led him to order such a sign to be secured to the cross? A summary of a few events and statements follows.
When Nathaniel, Philip’s brother was first introduced to Jesus, he exclaimed, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1.49). In a parallel account of today’s focus text, Luke wrote that the people rejoiced and cried out saying, ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’” (Luke 19.37-38). It is obvious that the Jewish people were looking for someone who would fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament. This is why they came to John and asked him, “Are you the prophet?” (John 1.21). John the baptizer asked the same question on one occasion; he sent his disciples to Jesus and asked, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11.3). Martha, the sister of Lazarus and close friend of Jesus, stated, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11.27). Again it is seen that the Jews expected someone to come and fulfill the promises of the Old Testament prophets.
When Jesus’ accusers came before Pilate, they came that they might hand Him over with relevant legal charges. In order to get the full impact of these accusations, the reader is urged to consult each of the four Gospel accounts. However, read Luke’s unique statement: “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” (Luke 23.2). It was probably this statement that prompted Pilate to ask, “Are You the King of the Jews?” (Luke 23.3a). Jesus responded, “It is as you say.” (Luke 23.3b).
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, He fulfilled Zechariah 9.9, even to the point of borrowing the beasts of burden used in His Triumphal Entry. The disciples looked back on these events after His resurrection and recalled the things “…written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.” (John 12.16). It may be right to remember the Child in the Cradle, but always honor the King on the Cross!
Questions:
1. What would have raised Israel’s expectations that a King was coming?
2. What did John the baptizer believe about the coming of a special prophet?
3. What would have prompted Pilate to ask if Jesus was King of the Jews?
4. If the Jews have a king, do the Gentiles also have one? Is there more than one kingdom that was to come? If not, who are the subjects of that singular kingdom? Who is its King? When did it begin? When will it end?
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