The Day Jesus rode into Jerusalem as King of Israel

John 12:9-11 (NLT)
When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to
see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading
priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the
people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.
John 12:12-16 NLT
The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through
the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went
down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one
who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found
a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: 15 “Don’t be
afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”
16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of
prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had
happened and realized that these things had been written about him.
John 12:17-26 NLT
Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from
the dead, and they were telling others about it. 18 That was the reason so many
went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19
Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look,
everyone has gone after him!” 20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for
the Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in
Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew about it,
and they went together to ask Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come
for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of
wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce
many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life
in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep
it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my
servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
John 12:27-36 NLT
“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’?
But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my
name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought
it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
30 Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 The time
for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast

out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33
He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
34 The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would
live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of
Man, anyway?” 35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer.
Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who
walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the
light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” After
saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
John 12:37-43 NLT
But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did
not believe in him. 38 This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted:
“LORD, who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his
powerful arm?” 39 But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said,
40 “The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts— so that their
eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me
and have me heal them.” 41 Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this,
because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory. 42 Many people did
believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t
admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For
they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
John 12:44-50 NLT
Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but
also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who
sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put
their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who
hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.
48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment
by the truth I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who
sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his
commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”