“When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, ‘What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the Feast at all?'”
John 11:55-56
“The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
‘Hosanna!’
‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’
‘Blessed is the King of Israel!'”
John 12:12-13
“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’
The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.'”
Matthew 21:10-11
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APRIL 11, 2025
There was anticipation in Jerusalem as crowds arrived for the Passover: Would Jesus come to the Feast or not? Jesus had grassroots support in Galilee and elsewhere because of His teaching and healing. Word of His approach spread like wildfire amongst those who had come up to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
People gathered in great numbers on the Mount of Olives to accompany Him into Jerusalem. They raised their voices, shouting messianic proclamations in their unbridled enthusiasm as Jesus rode slowly among them on a colt surrounded by waving palm branches. This was a day of celebration, and the whole city heard the commotion asking, “Who is this?”
Then something changed. My impression is that the excitement of the pilgrims from the hinterlands of Galilee and Judea was overcome by the urban population of Jerusalem. When the sophisticated dwellers of the city questioned their visitors they responded, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
What a downgrade!
Today, many non-Christians (including Muslims) would say the same thing regarding Jesus’ identity. But when I look upon my own words and actions, I wonder: How many times have I sat in church listening to amazing things being said about my Lord, and then when an opportunity comes to give a word of testimony, what I share is either watered down or does not come out of my mouth at all?
I am all boldness in the company of fellow believers at church, but with a neighbor or unsaved friends, I find myself more concerned about their approval than the approval of God.
Easter is a unique opportunity to invite people to church. With a break in the adult community schedule, many of us are free to come to one of the services with friends or family. May we issue an invitation and be unashamed to say, “This is Jesus, the Son of God, who has taken away my sin and promised me eternal life in His name. This is Jesus, whom I follow with my entire life.”=
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- With regard to Jesus, how would you answer the question, “Who is this?”
- Who will you invite to church on Easter?
- When are you going to invite them, and if they decline, who else are you going to invite?
Church Reading Plan:
- Today, April 11: Leviticus 15; Psalm 18
- Saturday, April 12: Leviticus 16; Psalm 19
- Sunday, April 13: Leviticus 17; Psalm 20-21