We See What We Want to See
Palm Sunday Procession: John 12:12-19
Well it’s here. The week of weeks. The week of our Lord’s Passion. And I want to say that in the most important ways it is absolutely no different than any other year. Why? Because, as much we love the special gatherings, music and readings of this week, the critical, unchanging pieces are the things that Christ HAS accomplished and continues to do for his people no matter our situation.
I didn’t know the calendar of the church until becoming a Lutheran Christian at nearly age 30. But regularity of the sequence especially as it pertains to the life of Jesus is a blessing that non-liturgical Christians lose out on. Here in John 12 we have the much anticipated (by us) entrance of Jesus into the great city of God. The ride of the Savior on the back of a beast of burden is not out of place for Israel’s kings (cf. 1 Kings 1:38), but even on this day a Jewish king would have been expected to ride horseback. The very details impeccably prophesied by Zechariah some 500+ years before the Savior’s birth, Jesus’ entrance while followed by many of his loyal band most likely would have been lost on the majority of Jerusalem’s population. Still the zest with which his follower’s welcomed him that day amidst the cries of “Hosanna to the Son of David!” did trouble the professional opponents of the Son of God.
Can I fudge a bit by just focusing on the tail end of the reading? Verse 19 highlights the failure of the Pharisees and their seemingly never-ending case against Jesus. They turn on one another with the quip, “You see that you are gaining nothing,” in other words, “All the work we’ve put in and we haven’t made a dent in his fan base.” As much is admitted in the very close of their comment, “Look, the world has gone after him” (John 12:19).
We really do see (by grace, or the denial of it) what we want to see. Two groups diametrically opposed in their view of the young carpenter turned rabbi. Days before his death clearly fulfilling the prophecies of old for their good and in God’s plan. We see what we want to see. Branches waving with cries of triumphant expectation of deliverance. Or dusty hands perhaps filled with rocks aimed at his demise. God’s plan will be fulfilled. The truth of the matter is neither group had any idea what was coming. Come and save, O great deliverer. May we be ready with eyes open to see.
- What is your favorite part of Holy Week? Sit down with your family-each member-and share that, perhaps on the appropriate day.
- Read one or all of the gospel accounts highlighting this week in the life of the Savior. Let yourself “be there.”
