Lazarus had been raised to life from the grave (he had been buried for four days before Jesus resurrected him). Adoration, devotion, thankful hearts of Mary, Martha and Lazarus must have been fueled by Jesus”™ actions on behalf of this family. They honored Jesus in their home with a dinner party. The twelve disciples were there. In fact, many others came to see this Man Who had done this miracle.

The next day after the dinner party the crowds in Jerusalem had heard the “˜news in the streets”™ ““ Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem”¦”˜let”™s go meet Him”™. He would be a great king, one who could bring people back to life!

(NASB) John 12:12-13 “On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “˜Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”™”

The crowds acclaimed Jesus as Messiah, God”™s long promised Anointed One ““ the people were exclaiming praise and celebrating victory with Jesus as King.

I would think that most, if not all, of the people were not aware that they were fulfilling prophecy”¦(NIV) Psalm 118:25-26a “O Lord, save us; O Lord grant us success.

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

One day, Jesus will be acknowledged, acclaimed and adored with those same shouted words: “˜Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”™

Jesus will come as King over all the earth, not just Israel.

Jesus had begun this journey to Jerusalem to die on the cross from the time of the first sin (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:6).

Jesus”™ conception began God”™s timetable for His Son”™s earthly life to begin.

As Jesus was acclaimed by the crowds, He was being obedient to His Father”™s will for your benefit and mine. Jesus, Who is God, became a Man to die for us.

(NIV) Philippians 2:6-8 “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death ““ even death on a cross!”

An earthly king receives a type of homage from others, for they are elevated in their position over their subjects.

Jesus is to receive homage for He is God and His position is truly elevated over all others. Jesus will be acclaimed King.

Jesus was rightfully acclaimed the King of Israel by the crowds at that

Passover Feast.

All who know Jesus as Savior and Lord

should also praise Him and acclaim Him as King.