THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

JOHN 12:12–19

“Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!”

(John 12:13).

One thing we did not discuss in our previous study on Mary’s anointing of Jesus was its symbolic significance. This dimension of Mary’s service comes into focus in the passage before us as we see Jesus entering the City of David in the manner of a king. In the Old Testament, kings would be anointed by a priest to fulfill their office. In 1 Samuel 10, Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it over Saul, thus declaring him commander over the “Lord’s inheritance.” This anointing occurred in private. Later in 1 Samuel, chapter 16, we find Samuel anointing David for the kingship. So once again, before the chosen king ever took office, he was anointed in the privacy of his home: “Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (1 Sam. 16:13).

In the same fashion, Jesus was anointed for a kingship that would not be manifested until later. But that kingship would not come with the sounding of horns and clash of weapons; it would come with the the pounding of nails and the crash of thunder as the Son of God dies on a cross for sinners. The disciples, of course, would not understand the progression of this strange kingship until Christ was glorified. They did not understand that their king would have to humble Himself even to death on a cross before He was exalted above “every name” in the realms of glory.

How many kings would give up their lives for their most unworthy subject? How many would endure the torture of the cross for the salvation of their people? Yet, this was what Jesus did. And in light of this sacrifice, what a disgrace it is that many who claim the benefits of His death refuse to honor Him as their king. But the two cannot be separated. He who entered Jerusalem triumphantly entered as a king who would die for His people.

As the people cried, “Hosanna,” which literally means “save now,” little did they know what path Jesus would take to answer their prayer. Many who gathered that day expected Jesus to be a political Messiah, but He would greatly disappoint them. He came, as He comes today, as the Prince of Peace who delivers His people from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light.

CORAM DEO

Psalm 38–40

Acts 23:12–35

Read Psalm 118. Can you understand why the Jews might have expected a political leader? Read Isaiah 53. In light of this passage, should the Jews have been surprised by the path that Jesus had to take? Think about what it means for Christ to be your King, one who died for you. What should your response be as His subject?

For further study: Matt. 21:1–11 • Mark 11:1–11 • Luke 19:28–30

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