John 12:12-19 – Voluntary
The time has come at last when Christ is to die for the sins of the world. The time has come when the true passover Lamb is to be slain, when the true blood of the atonement is to be shed, when the Messiah is to be cut off, when the way into the holiest is to be opened by the true High Priest to all mankind. Knowing all this, our Lord purposely draws attention to Himself. If ever there is a transaction in our Lord’s earthly ministry which is public, it is the sacrifice He offers up on the cross of Calvary. He dies at the time of year when all the tribes are assembled at Jerusalem for the passover feast. This isn’t all. He dies in a week when by His remarkable public entry into Jerusalem He has caused the eyes of all Israel to be specially focused on Him.
Christ willingly suffers in order to purchase redemption. He has undertaken to give His own life as a ransom, that we might live for ever, and He lays it down on the cross with all the desire of His heart. He does not bleed, and suffer, and die, because He is defeated by superior force, and can’t help himself, but because He loves us, and rejoices to give Himself for us as our Substitute. He does not die because He can’t avoid death, but because He is willing with all His heart to make His soul an offering for sin. He is just as willing now to receive sinners who come to Him for peace.
Riding into Jerusalem on a donkey might seem unremarkable. But when we turn to the Old Testament, we find that this very thing has been predicted by the prophet Zechariah five hundred years before (Zech. 9:9). The smallest prophecy and detail about Christ is fulfiled.
Questions
- Why does Jesus draw attention to Himself?
- Is Christ forced to die?
- What is Christ still willing to do?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.