The Triumphal Entry

John 12:12-19

Jesus rightfully so enters with Triumph. The crowds call Him King, yet they do not know His Kingdom. They call with the expectation of Jesus’s rule to overthrow Rome, not that He would willingly die on the cross meant for them.

Isn’t this how our faith looks today? We easily praise Him and call Him Good, King, God Almighty when things make sense. When our interpretation of those things is seen and felt.

What happens when we need to remember? When the world doesn’t look like we expected it to? God’s goodness isn’t how we know or understand goodness to be. That it hurts and that following Jesus is more challenging than we expected or wanted it to be.

It’s harder to praise Him.

We see later that only John and the women remain at the foot of the cross. The other disciples, out of fear or shame, disperse.

What would it look like for us to be people who are there at both the triumphal entry and the crucifixion? What would it look like to rejoice and mourn with praise?

The world doesn’t make it easy. Jesus told us that (Matthew 24:9). The enemy is ready with his fiery dart to attack. Paul exhorts us to prepare by clothing ourselves with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Today, what is holding you back from the high praise of your daily cross? How can you look for God’s goodness in the easy-to-understand triumphs and the confusing triumphs, both displaying God’s Kingly Goodness?