It’s time for your Thursday morning daily devotional. Many who were at the feast honoring Lazarus are in Jerusalem for the Passover. Jerusalem is packed with people from all over Israel, as this is one of the three annual feasts they’re required to attend. In today’s daily devotional, there’s only one Man people were looking to see: Jesus.
Power Over Death
John 12:12 affirms that those who’d been at Lazarus’ feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. His fame had skyrocketed, for not only is He the Healer, but He can also raise the dead. In Jewish culture, it was believed that a person’s soul lingered near the body for three days, hoping to reenter. After that, death was final and irreversible.
Jesus intentionally waited four days to raise Lazarus to demonstrate His power over death. The fourth day was considered impossible for the Jews, but what’s impossible with man is possible with God. In your daily devotional, all glory belongs to God, for He is sovereign over death.
A Grand Entrance
Because of their excitement at seeing Jesus, they prepare a grand entry for Him. In verse 13, heralding Him as the Son of David, the Messiah, they “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.” Jesus mounts a donkey and rides into the city. Not only does this fulfill Old Testament prophecy, but it also shows the humility and peace that signify His reign.
Verse 15 is quoted from Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” Five hundred years after this prophecy, Jesus rides into Jerusalem triumphantly. In this daily devotional, Jesus is your Messiah and King. Celebrate His entering into your life.
Prophecy Fulfilled
The disciples don’t grasp everything happening until Jesus is glorified. Then they recognize Zechariah’s prophecy was fulfilled that day. Verse 17 says, “The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.” The miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection after four days was astounding, as it showed Jesus’ power as the Son of God.
Others who heard about this miracle came to celebrate His triumphal entry into the Holy City and hail Him the Messiah. In your daily devotional, Jesus’ miraculous power was manifested, and the people believed. Today, your translation from darkness into light is a miracle made possible by Jesus.
Seeking Jesus
The shouting, rejoicing, and waving of palm branches in celebration of Jesus are enough to leave the Pharisees livid. Verse 19 says, “The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world is gone after him.”
This observation rings true because worshippers from among the Greek provinces come to the feast seeking Jesus. In verse 21, “ The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.” In this daily devotional, the greatest thing you can ever do is seek Jesus and make Him your Lord.
Jesus Remains Committed to His Mission For You
In Thursday’s daily devotional, news of Jesus’ miraculous power reaches other regions of the world. When Jesus receives word that He’s sought after, He doesn’t rejoice in that. In verse 23, He declares, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” In today’s daily devotional, Jesus remains committed to His mission as men look to see Him.
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