Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten meditation

Read John 12:12-19.

TEXT: "So the Pharisees said to one
another, 'You see that you are gaining
nothing. Look, the whole world has
gone after Him'" (John 12:19).

The great Festival of Passover is near.
Huge crowds make their way across
the countryside toward Jerusalem,
and our Lord Jesus enters Jerusalem
in triumph, riding on a donkey.

The Pharisees throw up their hands in
fear and frustration. They say to each
other "You see that you are gaining
nothing." The situation is totally out of
control. But again they will not stop to
consider Jesus' claims. They only react
in frustration and fear of what Jesus
might do with the huge Passover
crowds gathering around Him in
Jerusalem.

It is fascinating to compare their reaction
to that of the crowds. The crowds cry out
to Jesus, "Hosanna," which means "help"
or "save." And they are right. The Lord
Jesus is the mighty Son of God, who has
come to battle Satan, sin, death and hell.
He alone can save us from our bitter
enemies.

As we begin this week of Jesus' suffering
and death for our sins, we notice He is
completely in control. We will notice He
is in control through this entire week-clear
up to and including His arrest, trials and
crucifixion.

That's important to remember when we
look at our own lives. Often we are as
fearful and frustrated as the Pharisees,
realizing situations in our lives are totally
out of control. We can throw up our hands
like the Pharisees, or call upon Jesus as
the crowds do, remembering that Jesus is
still in control, sitting at the right hand of
the Father and guiding all things for our
good.

PRAYER:

Lord, please help and
save us, especially when circumstances
are at their worst and totally out of our
control. Remind us that they are never
beyond Your control. Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries