B) The Welcome and Entrance (vv.

13-15)
“Who is Jesus?”: Our Hope
a. The Welcome
John 12:12-19
i. Palm branches were already common
symbols of victory, particularly promoting
John 12:12 ¶ The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast nationalism due to Roman influence (palm
heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. branches printed on coins to denote
John 12:13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet conquering)
him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of ii. Former use of Jews for the Tabernacle
the Lord, even the King of Israel!” iii. Psalm 118:25-26, “25 Save us, we pray, O
John 12:14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!
written, 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of
John 12:15 ¶ “Fear not, daughter of Zion; the Lord! We bless you from the house of the
behold, your king is coming, Lord.” (Part of a song sung at the Feast of
sitting on a donkey’s colt!” Tabernacles, also used at the Feast of
John 12:16 ¶ His disciples did not understand these things at first, but Dedication and Passover – not unusual since
when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had in different ways all of these feasts are fulfilled
been written about him and had been done to him. in Christ)
John 12:17 The crowd that had been with him when he called iv. Just prior… Psalm 118:21-24, “21 I thank you
Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to that you have answered me and have become
bear witness. my salvation. 2 2 The stone that the builders
John 12:18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This
they heard he had done this sign. is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
John 12:19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let
are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” us rejoice and be glad in it.”
v. This welcome appears to be a welcome that
would denote something more than just a
Introduction: teacher, for the statement “King of Israel” is
more of a messianic designation. Now, what
• Response to Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus. The effects of the kind of kingdom this king would rule in their
sign are extensive. minds is probably mixed.
• One of only a few events recorded by all four gospels. b. The Entrance
i. Acts 1:7 – Consistency in misconstruing the
nature of Christ’s kingdom. As I have visited
Triumphant Entry: The Introduction of Hope (vv.12-16) with Jews, they still are looking either for an
actual messianic figure, who is all human to
A) The Arrival (v.12) restore the nation of Israel, or (on the more
a. A crowd gathering event “liberal” side of Judaism) looking more for the
b. Josephus claims over 2 million people at one spirit of the messiah to bring the people
particular Passover during this period. together.
c. Presumably the Sunday of Passion Week ii. Recently in John people have said or done
things that had deeper meaning beyond their
 comprehension. This appears consistent here a. The Significance
as well. (c.f. – Caiaphas, Mary and the i. John 2:22, “When therefore he was raised
ointment) from the dead, his disciples remembered that
iii. John Calvin, “I readily acknowledge that the he had said this, and they believed the
people who went out to meet him were not Scripture and the word that Jesus had
well acquainted with the nature of this spoken.” (compared with glorification)
kingdom; but Christ looked to the future. ii. “these things” – the fulfillment of scriptures
Meanwhile, he permitted nothing to be done b. The Sufficiency of the scriptures (now complete)
that was not suitable to his spiritual kingdom.” i. Our hope is realized in the fulfillment of
iv. Luke 19:41-44 helps us know Christ’s view of scripture
the crowd and the entry ii. 2 Peter 1:19-21, “19 And we have something
v. In large part would have been those from more sure, the prophetic word, to which you
outside Jerusalem, pilgrims will do well to pay attention as to a lamp
vi. Lord’s prayer “Thy kingdom come…” shining in a dark place, until the day dawns
vii. How much they understand is partial and the morning star rises in your hearts,
guesswork, what we know is that Christ 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy
allowed all this to be said of Him, in keeping of Scripture comes from someone's own
with scripture and prophecy, yet constrained interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever
the view of those looking only to a nationalistic produced by the will of man, but men spoke
hero by riding on a donkey (Zech 9:9) from God as they were carried along by the
viii. Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Holy Spirit.”
Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous
and having salvation is he, humble and Triumphant Witness: The Testimony of Hope (vv.17-19)
mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a
donkey.” A) The Crowds
1. This Messianic chapter makes clear that a. Those who saw (v.17) - continued
this rule will be for the peace of God’s b. Those who heard (v.18) – were curious
chosen ones. c. Again, diverse and we must rest assured that some
2. The rule will be, not with military understood in part and continued, while others were
might, but with the peace of a either merely curious or were self-serving.
conquering God with the people in
constant praise – extended to all B) Pharisees
nations. a. Hyperbole & exaggeration, displaying their fears
3. Rooted in his covenant by blood! b. More than they meant (John’s use of irony): “World”
(Passover, fulfilled in Christ) (kosmos – created order of man) meaning the whole
ix. The God who displayed power coming out of of humanity, in that sense it is true! Once again, this
the grave and ascending into heaven began His is not universalism (all religions, or non-religions,
week fulfilling scripture by riding a donkey! lead to God and salvation), nor inclusivism (one
religion is best, but many ways possible). Rather it is
C) The Realization (v.16) a very exclusivist type of meaning.
APPLICATION

A) What kind of Christ are you looking for this morning?

a. Does the all-sufficient Word of God inform this view
or your own personal interpretation of the scriptures
not read?
b. Is it not our own earthly “kingdoms” that we look for
in Him at times? Winning a ball game; improving our
salaries; better jobs; healthier relationships?
c. To know the Christ of scripture, you must
acknowledge that God has created all things for His
glory; that man has failed at that because of sin; that
Christ has taken on the sin of each of His own and His
blood establishes a promise of salvation. Will you
accept that Christ has died on the cross in your place
and follow Him the rest of your life?

B) Whose rule will give you the greatest joy?

a. The truth is, with this mixed crowd, it is only those
who remain through His beatings, crucifixion, burial,
resurrection and ascension who are truly His own.
b. The kingdom of Christ is one of peace, which includes
His chosen ones whom He has purchased with the
blood of His covenant. The end of that realization is
the praise of His people.
c. So, do you find your greatest joy in Christ, or do you
constantly ask Jesus to give you joy in something else
other than Him?