John Study 19: 11:45-12:19

Dear Student of the Word,

Before the weekend arrives, I wanted to get this latest study from John's gospel into your hands (or computer).  This week's study spoke into my life every day and I continually marvel at the power of God's word to touch my life at every level, every time I read or study it.  This week, we see Jesus making His triumphal entry into Jerusalem prior to His last Passover on earth before He was crucified.  The leaders were keeping a "Jesus watch" to arrest and kill Him and Jesus was holding His last teaching sessions with His disciples. This week I wrote:

v. 12 – Word spread quickly that Jesus was in Bethany and on His way to Jerusalem.  The people were excited that they would see the man who had performed such a remarkable miracle with Lazarus.  Many had come to the conclusion that He was the One from God.  What good news have you heard lately? What good news have you passed on so that others could enjoy and participate in it?  Since we have the best “good news” there is in the gospel, when is the last time you shared that good news with someone?

v. 13 – The people went out to meet Jesus, armed with palm branches, which would be the equivalent of our confetti.  They wanted it to be a festive procession.  The people shouted “Hosanna,” which means “God saves” or “Salvation”!  The people once again demonstrated spiritual maturity and insight by speaking the truth about Jesus, as opposed to their leaders who were set on a course of destruction.  In trying to save their nation, the leaders were about to ruin it.  The people, however, proclaimed that Jesus was the King of Israel.  The people did not understand the nature of their King, but they did speak the truth.

The people were worshiping and praising God with joyful declarations.  When is the last time that you did the same?  Do you see and say the truth that the people declared here?  Is your worship private or are your expressions of joy and gladness more effusive and enthusiastic?

v. 14 – John does not retell the story of how Jesus “found” this donkey, for it is told in the other gospel accounts.  Remember, each writer had his own purpose and focus for his gospel.  Do you have a focus and purpose for what you do?  How can you improve in that regard?  If you need to review the story of how Jesus got this donkey, please go to Matthew 21.

v. 15 – John did take time to relate the donkey ride to the Old Testament verse in Zechariah 9:9:

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9).

The King did not ride a white stallion into the city, but rather came in on a donkey’s colt.  Contrast this with some of God’s servants today who only want to ride in a Mercedes Benz!  Jesus did not make a show and did not expect the best.  He humbled Himself and set an example for all of us to follow.  Even though Scripture predicted this event happening as it did, it does not mean that Jesus had no choice in the matter. He willingly chose to enter Jerusalem like this, which meant He humbled Himself.  Where have you humbled yourself lately?  Where have you denied yourself the honor that could have been yours?  When have you chosen to minimize the glory that could have rightfully come your way? 

Someone once said you should humble yourself or be humiliated.  You may want to look for opportunities today through which you can truly humble yourself.

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, Colossians, First Timothy, and Matthew's and Mark's gospels on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Plus my website archives contains a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation, along with the unpublished volumes of The Faith Files.

Download John Study 19

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1. THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE:   $152 came in last week for The Sophia Fund, which is a great week of income for which I am grateful.  As you know by now, I am using the money to feed AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

I wrote an update and a thank you for those who have given to the Fund four weeks ago and you can read it here. You can also read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother).

Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more. You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world. If you give a gift of $35 or more up until July 31, I will send you a free copy of my latest book, Changing the Way We Do Church: 7 Steps to Purposeful Reformation, which is pictured to the left. 

2. REVELATION: I still need your help, although I had two good leads for publishing two weeks ago but no money. Every week I am ready to remove this plea and every week I feel the Lord tell me to keep it in.  I have finished a devotional focusing on the book of Revelation and I feel an urgent need to self-publish this work, which will cost about $2,500. I wrote about this project in my blog a few months ago and encourage you to read what I wrote there. You can also read some sample excerpts of the book here.

In that post, I explain my urgency in wanting to get it out for people to read. Once you read my rationale, please consider if the Lord wants you to help me to restore an important book of the Bible that has been distorted by so many weird interpretations. I know there is someone out there who is going to help me with this project.  Maybe it is you.

Comments

[valsa]

I enjoyed your study today. Humility was the hallmark of our Lord, and what we Christians ought to aspire to. Starting by humbling ourselves before God and our fellow men, we can aim to achieve the fruits of the Spirit. But how difficult it is to crucify one's pride! I have to battle this everyday, for everytime I find myself disappointing the Lord, I realise it is pride behind such thoughts and actions! The first step is to recognize one's failings and the root of them.

Thank you and God Bless you as you spread His Word.