What Jesus Did! 'Clearly Praised for a Few Days' — John 12:12-13

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,
"Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!"
— John 12:12-13 NLT

Key Thought

The people hope Jesus is their conquering savior sent to deliver them from the Romans. [1] They hail him as the great King David's heir. [2] Jesus, however, identifies with the servant and peaceful Savior of Zechariah's prophecy. [3] He comes as a peacemaker, not as a warrior on a conquest. [4] The crowd hails him in our verses today, but when he refuses to be the conqueror and a week later submits to arrest and torture, the crowd cries, "Crucify him!" [5] If Jesus is to be our Savior, he must also be our Lord. We come to him on his terms, or we miss him and miss the peace he came to bring to us. [6]

[1] Jeremiah 23:5-6.
[2] Matthew 21:9.
[3] Zechariah 9:9-12.
[4] Matthew 5:9; Luke 22:49-51.
[5] Mark 15:12-14.
[6] John 14:27.

Today's Prayer

Holy God, my Abba Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be our mighty Savior and humble servant King. Help me understand all that this means, and empower me to follow him no matter the cost. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Hail to the King!
Devo: Passion for Praise
"Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God's name! Yes! The King of Israel!"
The Humility of a Little Donkey
Article by Joe Bagby
How much glory should we expect? From Mother Teresa comes a very simple lesson on humility and graciousness.
Let Jesus ...
Article by Phil Ware
What do these words mean and whose words do we trust? Phil Ware weaves in the 7 sayings of Jesus on the cross with the sense of forgiveness and mission that should be ours in the cross and resurrection of Jesus.
Connecting People of Other Cultures with Jesus
Article by Phil Ware
Are we willing to take the risk and reach outside our comfort zones to connect people with Jesus? Phil Ware continues his series on "The Andrew Effect" and connecting people with Jesus.

Illustration

Illustration of John 12:12-13 NLT — "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Success and Power Can Lead to Bad Choices'
"In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Risen with Christ' (He. 5:7-10)
"Dear Father, Eternal God, Thank you for a high priestly Savior, who in the days of his flesh, offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 23:4
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Hebrews 13:5
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.""

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!