It was the Sunday before the Friday on which Jesus would be violently crucified. The occasion, as recorded in John’s gospel, chapter 12, is commonly called His “Triumphal Entry,” as Christ rode into Jerusalem on an ass’s colt while many people, with palm branches strewn before His procession, cried, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (John 12:12-19) Because of Zech. 9:9 and many other Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah—who would establish His throne and Kingdom in Jerusalem—there was a Messianic expectation amongst the people who had witnessed His miracles and heard His messages. The disciples were “in a fog” about it all, but John assures us that, in time, they too would remember the things written about Him “and that they had done these things unto him.” (v.16)
Sadly, many of those who cried “Hosanna” would, in a few days, join the mob crying “Crucify Him.” A literal kingdom was not going to be established at that time, and the King would indeed be crucified, dashing the hopes of those who expected that Christ would a lead movement that toppled the Roman government.
There was a troubling air abroad in David’s capital city at that very time—troubling indeed to the religious leaders, the Pharisees. So much so that they said, among themselves, “behold, the world is gone after Him.” (v.19) The answer may be obvious, but it deserves our attention: Why did his adversaries bemoan the fact that the whole world had gone after Jesus? I believe for the following reasons:
- His message was with authority. After His inaugural “Sermon on the Mount,” (Matt. 5-7) we read that the people were astonished at His doctrine: For “He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matt. 7:29) When soldiers arrested Jesus, all He had to say was, “I am He,” and they fell to the ground. He spoke as never a man spake. (John 18:6)
- His message had authenticity. It was bold. “But, lo, He speaketh boldly and they say nothing unto Him.” (John 7:26)
- His message was believable. “Then said Jesus…will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou has the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:67-69)
- His message had appeal. It appealed to the spirit: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) His message also appealed to the sensibilities of his hearers: “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works sake.” (John 14:11)
So, His messages were unlike His audiences had ever heard before. As such, they were undeniable—for they were Truth. And they were buttressed by His miracles, which were demonstrations that were undeniable and done because of:
- Compassion (Luke 17:11): the only son of a widow was raised from his funeral bier.
- Consideration (Mark 6:30-43): Jesus fed thousands miraculously with five loaves of bread and two fishes, rather than sending them away hungry.
- Confrontation: A demoniac in Gadara, Matt.8:28, legions of devils were confronted by one who was greater than they.
- Constraint: A centurion’s servant healed from a distance by a word from Jesus, in response to the constraining appeal of the centurion. (Matt. 8:5)
- Concern: It was concern for Peter’s sick mother-in-law that caused Jesus to touch her hand, resulting in a fever leaving her at once. (Matt. 8:14)
- Comfort: The disciples, in a boat with Jesus during a violent squall, were delivered from dire distress by His words rebuking the winds and the sea. The comforted men marveled, saying: “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!” (Matt. 8:23-27)
Finally, the whole world was perceived by Jesus’ opponents to have gone after Him, I believe, because of His mission:
- Simply stated, His mission was to reveal the Father: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
- And His mission was to do the will of His Father: “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me) to do Thy will, O God.” (John 14:9; Hebs. 10:7)
- Also, His mission was to “destroy the works of the Devil.” (I John 3:8)
- Finally, His mission was to offer Himself as Israel’s long- awaited Messiah/King. When Pilate asked Jesus if He were a king, His answer was, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end I was born, and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth.” (John 18:37)
So, yes. The whole world had gone after Him, as the Pharisees had bemoaned. But, not without reasons: His messages, His miracles, and His mission.
How is it with you, in the light of these imperishable truths? Have you gone after Him? Have you put your faith in Him as your Lord and Savior? If not, claim this verse today:
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12)
Health update: It is going on four years now since I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of white blood cells gone rogue that attack other cells and wreak havoc with one’s blood and bones. Since then, I have been on a treatment regimen that has held this cancer “at bay,” even close to remission—until about three months ago, when tests began to reveal that the cancer was again making a bid to get the upper hand and that a different treatment would be necessary. Many treatment paths are available for this cancer, and the treatment pathways are changing frequently due to new research. My doctors are consulting on which pathway to put me on, so I ask for your prayers for wisdom for the doctors and for God’s will above all. I am at peace with everything and want only His will, and Ellen is on the same page with me. Thanks for your prayerful concern.
YOU and GOD 