John 12:12-15 (WEL) The next day, many people who were coming to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm tree branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, [Psalm 118:25-26] The King of Israel!” 14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on him as it is written: 15 “Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look! Here comes your King sitting on a donkey’s colt.” [Zechariah 9:9]
V12 The next day, many people who were coming to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
It appears that a greater number than usual showed up in Jerusalem. Would to God, they had sought Him as their Messiah instead of a preacher, prophet, and/or a miracle worker.
Principle: Have the right motives when you seek God.
V13 They took palm tree branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, [Psalm 118:25-26] The King of Israel!”
All of this is very Messianic.
In Jesus’s day, the palm tree branches refer to a statement of political lordship, kingship, and victory in battle. Doing so shows the people’s belief in the Lord Jesus as Israel’s king.
Hosanna is the Greek word G5614 ὡσαννά hōsanna, which means save now and is of Hebrew origin (H3467 and H4994) “Save now,” which is a term for a king who rescues, delivers, brings peace, etc. It is Messianic. It is a plea for help and praise that the deliverer has come.
The people are shouting the welcoming cry, wanting deliverance and the expectation of deliverance. They are shouting praise that the deliverer has come.
These Jews, anyway, accept the idea that Jesus is the King of Israel.
The leaders along with their fanboys did not like this show of praise and acceptance.
The common population and a few others were ostracized when Pilate asked what should be done with Jesus; while the Jewish leaders and a few others shouted, “Crucify Him.”
When Jesus does return as Israel’s Messiah, delivering them from the antiChrist and essentially the whole world (Zechariah 14), then this will be the shout and prayer of the people (Matthew 23:37-39).
V14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it as it is written:
This is also Messianic and fulfillment of prophecy (Zechariah 9:9-10). The king of Israel would ride a special donkey in certain kingly celebrations (1 Kings 1:43-46).
V15 “Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look! Here comes your King sitting on a donkey’s colt.” [Zechariah 9:9]
Prophecy in the Old Testament is a prediction of who the Messiah would be. These prophecies, when given and then fulfilled, are a checklist for anyone wanting to know who was the Messiah.
Early rabbis and sages recognized all of these passages as referring to the Messiah.
- Messiah would be from the tribe of Judah: Genesis 49:10 (Hebrew)
- Messiah would be a descendant of King David: 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (Hebrew)
- Messiah was to be born at Bethlehem: Micah 5:2 (Hebrew – Micah 5:1)
- Messiah would arrive before the destruction of the Second Temple: Daniel 9:24-27 (Hebrew)
- Messiah would present himself by riding on a donkey: Zechariah 9:9 (Hebrew)
- Messiah would be tortured to death: Psalm 22:1-31 (Hebrew)
We learn:
- About fulfilled prophecy.
- About the importance of past prophecy and future prophecy.
Questions:
- Do you believe that there are Biblical prophecies that will be fulfilled in the future?
- Do you believe and trust in the one and only Messiah—Jesus?