The Triumphal Entry

06/27/22 • 44 min

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It’s almost time for the Passover festival in Jerusalem and Jesus decides to stay in Bethany with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. The family decides to host a dinner in honor of Jesus. During the meal, Mary takes expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet. Unlike his disciples who see this as an extravagant waste of money, Jesus receives it as a humble gift. The next day is known historically as the “Triumphant Entry” of Jesus, the time when he rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. The previous night is a family dinner marked by an act of humility; the entry into Jerusalem is filled with crowds and shouts of “Hosanna!” When it comes to Jesus, both expressions of honor are appropriate.
Passage: John 12:1-19

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Previous Episode

Jesus Wept

Jesus receives word from Mary and Martha that their brother, Lazarus, has become ill. In a verse that doesn’t always get noticed, John simply writes, “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (v. 5). Even so, Jesus doesn’t go to their house immediately. By the time he does arrive, Lazarus has died. Both Mary and Martha say the same thing to Jesus: “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Upon hearing this, we’re told that Jesus was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” This leads to the shortest – and one of the most powerful - verses in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” (v. 35). Even though Jesus knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, he is still moved emotionally by the sisters’ pain. The same is still true today in our own lives.
Passage: John 11:1-44

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Next Episode

The One God Honors

Discipleship is the process of becoming more like Jesus. But what does this involve? According to Jesus, it involves several shifts. First, we must love his life more than we love our own. This is at the heart of the great commandment – to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Secondly, we must be willing to go where Jesus goes. “whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be.” The last shift has do with trust – do we trust that the way of Jesus is really the best way? Jesus says, “Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.”
Passage: John 12:20-36

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