Pastor David Koop They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: "Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?" (John 12:21, The Message Bible) Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey?even on a donkey's colt. Listen Now
A crowd gathered as Jesus rode into the city on a donkey. They began to wave palm branches and shout their welcome to Jesus. They wanted to see Jesus. Who were the faces in that crowd that day? If you were there, whom would you see? And what were they thinking? If we examine the crowd that was present that day we may find ourselves. - The Roman soldiers were there. They represent the skeptics, the mockers and the unreligious.
- The spectators were there. They represent those looking to be entertained. The curious and the hopeful. It was more about them than worshipping Jesus.
John 12:9,18
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead ... Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him.
The people praised Jesus as He passed by for different reasons:
a. Because everyone else was doing it.
b. Because of His miracles. He had healed the sick, raised the dead. They praised Him because He was someone who served the hurting.
c. Because they saw in Jesus a way to be politically delivered from the Romans.
The attitude of 'what will you do for me Jesus?' was prevalent in His ministry.
John 6:30
So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?
Mark 7:6
He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.'"
- The religious leaders were there. Those that were jealous of the power and influence that Jesus had.
John 12:19
So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"
- The faithful were there. Those who would attend the parade and the trial.
This included the disciples, Mary - His mother, Lazarus, Mary and Martha, and other faithful followers. Perhaps Bartimaeus was there, a man who had received his sight, no longer in his beggar's rags. How about Zacchaeus? He had paid back his debt to society, and had made his peace with God. And perhaps the lepers were in attendance. Their skin had been cleansed & now they were rejoicing for the healing that the Lord had given them. Maybe Jairus' daughter was there - back to life again after experiencing death. At the parade it was trendy to offer praise, everyone was doing it, but at the trial to speak out for Jesus was risky.
- The sincere seekers were there. Those who wanted to see Jesus face to face.
John 12:20-22
There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: "Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?" Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus.
Pope John Paul II at the world youth conference in February 2004 said: "To see Jesus, we first need to let Him look at us! May your search be motivated not simply by intellectual curiosity, though that too is something positive, but be stimulated above all by an inner urge to find the answer to the question about the meaning of your life."
Jesus would weep over Jerusalem and brought the parade to a stop. (Luke 19:41,42) First He wept because the people did not recognize His purpose. His kingdom is a spiritual one, not an earthly one. Secondly, He wept because they did not accept His terms for peace. The people in Jerusalem desired peace, but wanted it to come through conflict. Jesus was offering them peace in conflict.
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