Palm Sunday: Gospel, John 12:20-43                          

John 12:20-43

Jesus comes to “do it all.” By that, I mean there is nothing in the cause of our redemption/salvation/exaltation that He leaves to chance. From first to last He accomplishes all. I’m always amazed that when one stacks that truth up against what the world offers us, some still choose the world. It’s mind bending. As you read the text of one of our gospel options for Palm Sunday, John zeros us in on this most critical “hour” in the life of our Savior. John shows Jesus highlighting this hour throughout his gospel account and Jesus here in our text gives several important elements of just what He is about to accomplish for us.

And then John points us to the conclusions of some. He has quoted from Isaiah in showing that the darkness covering the minds of Jesus’ opponents are in direct fulfillment of the Word of the Lord. John then points to some of the contemporary Jewish leaders who have “squeaked through” into belief, but who still value their connections in the world. Here’s what John says: “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees  they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God” (John 12:42-43, emphasis mine).

There you have it. That insatiable desire that we must continually look good, be accepted, and carry all the right credentials for those in this world. It seems so silly when you look at the issue up close. What is so important about the accolades of men? It drives us all to the end of our days, if we’re honest. Let’s ask our dear Savior that we might savor Him over all pretenders to the place only He should hold. Amen!