John 12 - Power of Reflection

Jesus had developed quite a following; the raising of Lazarus had spread throughout the lands, and people were being drawn to Jesus and believing in him. So much so, we read this in v10,11. 

“So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭12:10-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Tensions were high, and as I read John 12 it’s hard to imagine how Jesus was enjoying his time with his friends, but it appears as he was. After he spent the day with Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and others, he headed off to Jerusalem. Here is the scene that we have seen in movies, in storybooks, and illustrations, this is the scene of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a little donkey and the crowds going wild. This is the Bieber fever experience! Try and imagine the scene:

“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭12:12-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You see, another prophecy coming true. We see Zechariah 9:9 fulfilled here, a word and story the Jews and culture at this time would know well. 

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” - ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭9:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The king is coming to you, righteous and victorious, riding on a lowly donkey. Here we were, at the center of the story, the king entering Jerusalem as it was written, and the crowds were going wild. But here is a verse, a verse following all of this that just seems out of place. 

“At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭12:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How odd is that verse? It just seems out of place and kinda unimportant to the story John is telling. But here is what really stands out to me with this verse, and a point John is making. At the moment, the disciples didn’t see the full story; they didn’t really connect all the dots of what had been written about Jesus and prophesied about him. The ark of the story and what was being played out they didn’t have a full picture. This friends happens to us all the time. When we are in the thick of it or walking through the pain and suffering, or dealing with whatever we are dealing with, we often miss the ark of the story and journey we are on with Jesus. It’s only after the full narrative has been played out after we get through everything we are going through that we can reflect and see the glory, beauty, and wonderful work of Jesus in our lives. 

The power of reflection gives us the ability to see Jesus in a way that brings the full glory that is needed. Often in the moment, walking through the situations and circumstances, we really do not see Jesus or even realize the glory and grace that is being extended. We get caught up in the events, the celebration, the pain, the anxiety, the anger, the whatever, and we miss the Christ, just as the disciples did. 

Today, do yourself a favor and reflect...pause and take some time to look back on your life, look back on events and situations and see the glory, grace, and beauty of what Jesus was doing the whole time. In the moment and at first, we may not understand or even see Jesus in our situations, but give it some time, and upon reflection, we will be able to see and realize all the wonderful work Jesus was orchestrating.