Everybody Loves a Parade

A Series on Lent
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
John 12:12-19 

[Lent is a 40-day season of personal reflection through prayer, fasting and giving in order to prepare your heart to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. We will be following Jesus as he enters Jerusalem for Passover, and the ensuing events that led up to his trial, crucifixion and resurrection.]

 

Last October, my wife and I went to Disney World with my daughter, son-in law and grandkids. One of the many special activities that we attended was “Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party” held in the Magic Kingdom. It was packed.

 

During the party there was a magical parade called “Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade”. There were so many people lining the streets that it was difficult to see all the characters. After all, everybody loves a parade.

 

Jesus had a parade given in his honor. After three years of trying to stay under the radar, he embraced a public declaration of being the Messiah. He did it by fulfilling this prophecy in Zechariah.

 

⁹ Rejoice, O people of Zion!
    Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
    He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—
    riding on a donkey’s colt.           Zechariah 9:9 NLT

 

The six chapters preceding John 12, highlighted the escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. There was division, dispute and unbelief about who Jesus was. As the conflict crescendo reached its peak, Jesus called his friend Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead. Word spread like wildfire.

 

This happened just before Passover when large crowds of pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem. Jews had celebrated Passover for centuries as a way to remember God’s salvation for his chosen people when Moses led them out of slavery from Egypt to the Promised Land.

 

The atmosphere was charged with electricity; with the anticipation of a king leading Israel from under the rule of Rome. The crowds laid their palm branches and cloaks on the road for Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Expectations were out of sight!

 

As Jesus road the colt they shouted…

 

^13b “Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!”            NLT

 

Indeed, everybody loves a parade. Even Jesus didn’t avoid it. But did he enjoy it? He knew that it was his time. He knew that death was waiting for him. Yet he still trusted and obeyed his loving Father. Why?

 

^2-3 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it.

Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!                        Hebrews 12 MSG

 

Copyright 2023 Joseph B Williams