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

Sunday, August 23, 2026

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

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4 Related Resources by Heartlight

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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!"

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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.

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