A Different Provider of Peace

Throughout the Gospel of John, we have seen Jesus presented as the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of all those who would believe in Him.  I find it fascinating and frustrating that with all of the evidence and proof of this fact, that so many people are so easily fooled into believing those who come along and state they have a new word from God, or that they are the Messiah.  Stranger yet, are those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but they’ll spend a fortune to prepare for a zombie apocalypse, or something as ridiculous.  

The reality is that Jesus is the only One Who fits all the prophecies of the Old Testament about the Messiah.  He is the only One who performed all those miracles that only God could do.  Yet, so many people refused to believe in Him then.  And even today, many would rather believe in anything else other than Jesus Christ.  

Even in this short passage we’ll be looking at today, we’ll see some more prophecies fulfilled which show Jesus to be the Son of God.  The remainder of the book of John takes place in the time span of about a week.  Today’s passage is what we would commonly refer to as Palm Sunday.

It is important for us to understand that regardless of whatever conferences, treaties, negotiations, or truces there may be, genuine peace will continue to elude humanity. 

The only way to experience true, lasting peace is to personally know the Prince of Peace.

The Prince Is Seen as Royalty. - 12.12-13

On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”

We finished supper with the Lazarus’ family from last week’s message and have now come to the next morning.  Not everyone had a restful sleep during the night. According to Matthew 26, we read that Judas went out at night, doing his deed of darkness in betraying Jesus to the religious leaders.  We also read from the other gospels that the religious leaders were intending to take care of their dirty business in removing Jesus from the earth after the Passover. Why do you suppose they chose to wait until after the Passover?  Their concern was that a riot not take place. Yet, even here, we see that Jesus is in total control of all the events. 

Here is just one illustration to begin.  We know, of course, that Jesus’ sacrifice came on the same day that all the sacrificial lambs were to be put to death. Obviously, this shows that He is the Lamb of God, willing to lay His life down for the sins of humanity.  

As we see the crowd laying out the branches of the fig palm trees, we may wonder why this was done. Historically, this was to signify victory and celebration. The shouts of hosanna were understood by everyone listening, even though they did not all understand correctly.  Hosanna is a Hebrew term of acclamation or praise, that literally means, “Help, I pray,” or “Save now, I pray.”  Interestingly, every other time the people had attempted to make Jesus king or direct Him to rescuing the nation from Roman rule, he rejected their ideas. However, now he receives their praises. 

Yet, we know they were still confused. Indeed, Christ will help and he will save those who believe on his name. But not in the way in which the people wanted it done. Thus, we see a large number of them, in a few days, crying out for his crucifixion.

The Prince is Seated as Royalty. -12.14-15

Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”

Again, if we read only John, we will not fully understand the context of what he is describing. We know from the other gospels that Jesus had sent some of his disciples to procure this young donkey for Him to use. So, it’s not as if Jesus had been out looking.  Instead, we recall that He knew exactly where this animal was to be found and instructed the disciples accordingly.  

There is an incredible amount of symbolism in this short section we are looking at right now. Again, the other gospels show that coats were also laid out on the ground before him. This was done for royalty as they entered into their town. This would be very appropriate since Jesus is the king. However, the people saw Him purely as an earthly king.  

In addition, the fact that Jesus is riding on a young donkey, fulfilled prophecy from the Old Testament and was actually a denial that he was a conquering warrior. A conquering warrior or the king of that nation would ride in on a horse or a chariot, not a donkey; and especially not a donkey’s colt. Here, we know that Jesus is indeed royalty; but as the Prince of peace, and not a conquering war King.  Also, riding on a donkey’s colt showed humility and not pompousness. 

The Prince was Surmised Later as Royalty. - 12.16

These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.

As we begin verse 16, we recognize that not only did the crowd not understand what was taking place, but the disciples did not understand at the time, either. They got it after Jesus had been raised from the dead. In fact, I would be more accurate to say that it was after they had received the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit was sent after Jesus was glorified.

There are some who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but still do not fully grasp what that involves.  I’m not sure if we ever fully understand. There are some who undergo a second baptism to show that they truly mean business and have chosen to not only follow after Jesus as Savior, but as their Lord in all areas of their lives.  

Many of us have those experiences as disciples or followers of Jesus Christ.  Then the Holy Spirit convicts us and helps us to understand more clearly.  When these times come, let me encourage you to respond in obedience.

Reflections

Where do you and I place our trust and hope?  Where do you and I experience perfect peace?

Is it in military strength?  Is it in a loving relationship?  Is it in job security?  Is it in what’s in our wallet or checking accounts, or savings accounts or our retirement accounts?

Could it be that some believe they can experience genuine peace by electing the right people into office?  Is it possible that if there are no military conflicts that we feel as if there is finally peace?  Is peace merely the absence of conflicts?

I believe that most of us would roll our eyes and whisper to our neighbor, “Of course not!”  So, from where or from whom does peace come?

Jesus Christ!  Even though the crowd was proclaiming Jesus to be the King of Israel, the one who would restore peace to the nation; that was not why Jesus came into the world.  Peace between nations is immaterial when it comes to eternity.  Jesus was a different provider of peace.  His peace that He offers is between man and God for eternity. 

Jesus Christ did not come as a conquering warrior mounted on a horse as many may have expected.  Instead, He came as a different provider of peace.  He was going to present Himself as a Lamb to be slaughtered.  He came riding on the colt of a donkey, showing His absolute authority over His creation.  To bring peace, He would not go about killing others, but would allow Himself to be killed so as to bring life.

Jesus Christ was not recognized immediately as the Prince of Peace.  However, when the Holy Spirit came to indwell believers, the light finally came on in their minds.  That is the same today.  There are many who dismiss the possibility that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  But when the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin, then He reveals to the person who believes in Jesus, that He indeed is the Prince of Peace.  

Thus, we can truly understand:

The only way to experience true, lasting peace is to personally know the Prince of Peace.