The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. John 12:12
Jesus and His disciples had come to Bethany, the home of Lazarus and his two sisters. It was Pentecost, Jesus’ last, the beginning of passion. Because Lazarus had been resurrected by Jesus, they had both achieved what we would call Rock Star status. Everyone knew of them, especially Jesus. They wanted to meet Him and desired to connect with Him somehow. He was an everyday man that left things better than He found them. Word traveled and crowds gathered.
Among the general population, Jesus and His disciples were adored. The multitudes looked to them as a great hope and future for themselves and their nation. The religious leaders couldn’t stand it! Their self centered instinct to preserve their power turned to deep fury. The hatred they harbored and fed became all consuming. With every ounce of energy and influence they had they spewed fear and perverted half truths, completely changing the direction of public opinion. In the end, Jesus was crucified by an angry mob that had hailed Him just a few days prior.
Yes, prophecy was fulfilled and Jesus became the Christ, the Lamb of God, just as He was meant to do, but that doesn’t justify man’s behavior. Hatred is deadly and there is no excuse for it. Love cannot be nullified. Love when the crowd loves, hate when they hate? NO! Choose love, only…..always!
Love,
Gretchen