Here's the link for today's reading
(Click "View in Bible Reader" to access the entire chapter)
Chapter 12 Palm Sunday - Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The loud Hosanna's celebrating the arrival of the man who could raise the dead. What a scene it must have been?!?
Another question I look forward to asking at least one of the disciples, "What was it like when you traveled into Jerusalem? What were you feeling as the crowds were shouting praises?"
I love how people were sharing about seeing Lazarus being raised from the dead and others believed. (vv 17&18). Yet later in verse 37 But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. You would think seeing a man that had been raised from the dead you would believe, right? But it's still that way today, people see miraculous events all the time and fail to believe in Jesus. Each day is a miracle and still we often don't take time to thank God for it.
What do you think about as you read this story?
I think about how Jesus is fulfilling His role of Prince of Peace here, riding in on a donkey--the tradition for a prince arriving in peace rather than war, when he'd be on a horse. That was a tidbit I just learned a couple years ago. =)
ReplyDeleteAlso love the continual theme of light/darkness in this chapter. Jesus words really leapt out at me today: "Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he's going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of Light."
Paul harkens to this is Thessalonians, when he tells us: "You are all the children of light and the children of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness."
So vivid and clear!
John 12 (God's Word translation)
ReplyDelete42 Many rulers believed in Jesus. However, they wouldn't admit it publicly because the Pharisees would have thrown them out of the synagogue. 43 They were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them.
48 Those who reject Me by not accepting what I say have a judge appointed for them. The words that I have spoken will judge them on the last day.
The last part of this verse stood out to me. "The words that I have spoken will judge them on the last day." The very words themselves will judge because they will be remembered words spoken when there was time to receive them and Him.
36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you will become people whose lives show the light.
May we not be so concerned with the opinions of others, rather walk in obedience to the One who has freed us. Isa. 43:1b "I have called you by name; you are Mine."
He has called us by name, we are His. He encourages us, John 12:36 "...you will become." As we stay near Him, we will become more like Him in character and outward appearance. We will shine. Not looking at our own ability, but His to accomplish it in us.
I was going to comment, but I am so tired. I worked over 12 hours today - some of it hard labor.
ReplyDeleteAll I want to say is this: "Thank you so much for starting this blog. It is inspiring me to read the Bible every day, even when I'm exhausted!"