John 12:19  The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.Thought:  The Pharisees knew the Scriptures very well. They could quote the Law and the Prophets. They knew the promises about a coming Messiah. Yet when Jesus stood right in front of them, they wanted to stop Him, not worship Him.  This shows a serious warning. It is ...

John 12:14–15  And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.Thought:  Jesus did not choose a war horse. He chose a donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah had said about 500 years earlier. By riding that donkey, Jesus was clearly saying, “I am the promised King, the Messiah.”  This shows us two ...

John 12:13  Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.Thought:  The crowd shouted “Hosanna,” which means “save” or “save us.” They were asking for a Savior, but they mostly wanted a political king who would defeat Rome and make their lives easier. They were waving palm branches, which is a national...

John 12:12  On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.Thought:  The people were at the Passover feast to remember how God saved Israel from Egypt. That feast was an appointment set by God. On this day, Jesus walks into that appointment as the true Passover Lamb.  In Exodus, each family chose a lamb, cared for it, and then killed it ...

Hebrews 11:5“…for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”ThoughtThere is no greater thing that could be said about a person than this: they pleased God. Not that they were famous. Not that they were successful. Not that they were popular. But that in the middle of a dark world, they walked with God and pleased Him.Pleasing God does not mean living a perfect life. Only J...