John 12:12-19: (NIV)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King.

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna![a]”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;

see, your king is coming,

seated on a donkey’s colt.”[c]

16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

Today is Palm Sunday-when we celebrate the triumphant entry of our LORD into Jerusalem. So today, this will be the Word.

A great crowd went out to meet God as He came into Jerusalem-you will meet the LORD when you listen to the Word because faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17)-and hence they were positioned to receive. They rejoiced! When you worship Him it makes a powerful encounter possible in His presence and they acted on this worship through the taking of palm branches and the shoutings of praise. The LORD wants you to connect with Him intimately as your Savior and your King.

Jesus sat on a young donkey as was stated in prophecy and this speaks to me that what the LORD has revealed to your heart, will be made manifest before your eyes. His promises are real-He is a covenant keeping God. He is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19).

It says, as it is written, we should not be afraid because our king is coming, seated on a donkey’s cult-hence we should dispel the spirit of fear and keep living and walking in faith (2 Timothy 1:7). Its interesting that a King came in on a donkey’s colt-not how you would expect a king to come in right?

With God, you can always expect to encounter Him in an unconventional but deeply personal manner.

And they recognized Him. When you walk in relationship with God, you will be able to recognize Him even in situations where others cannot see Him present.

God comes to His children-this is why the prophesy says: Daughter Zion because it is relationship not religion in which you experience the voice and presence of Christ.

They knew how to respond to His presence. This was why they were able to shout "Hosanna!" with the palm branches and praise Him as King. When God walks into your life you will recognize His presence in your situation.

Its interesting that even His disciples did not understand this.

Don’t get comfortable in your role in the body of Christ-don’t fall into religion keep yourself rooted in relationship with Him.

They only understood after it was revealed to them-after He was glorified. When you accept Jesus as your personal God and Savior you will be able to understand what others cannot. That is why the Word says:

2 Corinthians 4:3: (NIV):

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

Notice it was the crowd that had witnessed God bring the dead to life-Lazarus-that spread the Word. When God steps into your situation personally, you become connected to the message of Truth because you have witnessed it.

And when people heard He had done this-when people hear how He has brought the dead to life in your life, they would be drawn to Him-they will meet Him.

The Pharisees are those that do not understand the message of God-and some are in the church because the Pharisees were religious leaders during this time but they did not understand the message because their perspective was wrong-they concentrated on the world not on Christ!

Concentrate on the message of Christ and not the world and you will begin to understand the significance of the resurrection, the significance of this beautiful celebration and the glorious resurrection and life that comes to us through Christ our King!