Day 12

Entry into Jerusalem triumphant

John 12

Key Verses: 13, 25, 28, 44

“Save Us!” was the cry of the people of Jerusalem. They wanted freedom from the Roman rule. They were taxed too much and felt like their freedoms were taken away. Too many restrictions and regulations. Sound familiar?

Death, Jesus’ death, was necessary. Jesus could have avoided crucifixion, but He chose it in order to save us. His death brought glory to God’s Name. This seems almost contradictory, doesn’t it. Death became a source of glory. We view death as an end, as a loss, as a defeat. For Jesus, death opened the door of life to all who believe in Him. And when Jesus ascribes glory to the Father, the Father answers back, affirming that the glorification process is ongoing. Jesus’ death is a glorious thing. It opens the window into the depth of God’s love for us and the extent of our sin.

Believing in Jesus is believing in the Father. And when we believe in Jesus we allow His light to pass through us to a hurting world. We also have light to guide and direct, comfort and heal our lives as well. Few things are more difficult than negotiating an unfamiliar place in the dark. This world is certainly an unfamiliar place to most of us. We spend much of our lives trying to find out who we are and how to live productive lives here. It can feel like playing an unfamiliar card game without knowing the rules, or like being in a conversation when you are the only one speaking English. Jesus wants to bring clarity to the process. Will you let Him?

REVIEW: Acrostic Theme & each chapter’s phrase.