Live to Love Scripture Encouragement

John 12:16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.
So often this is the case. Things happen in our lives that we don’t understand until we see Jesus glorified in and through them. Jesus mounting a donkey to ride into Jerusalem this one time, of all the times He had entered that city, didn’t strike them as all that incredible. However, it was! Think about it. Because God had spoken it through Zechariah centuries before, the event was God’s undeniable testimony glorifying His Son, Jesus Christ, as the anointed Messiah and promised King. John’s words, “Fear not,” could not be more appropriate and accurate considering the context of Zachariah’s prophecy where he promised to “camp around My house,” and “no oppressor will pass over them anymore,” and the “chariot” and “bow of war will be cut off.” Zechariah penned, “Rejoice greatly.” John wrote, “Fear not.” Are they not both sides of the same coin? Let us fear not and rejoice greatly, for now, we have seen Jesus glorified.

John 12:14-15 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."
Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zachariah saw Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem approximately 550 years prior to the event. Wow! Isn’t that amazing? One of over 300 prophecies verified in the life of Christ. This one alone should be enough for the world to bow the knee, lay down the palm branches, and proclaim Jesus as Lord and King. What does it speak to your heart? As we live to love with Jesus, we can rest assured that we are a living miracle and testimony of the indwelling King of kings. Hallelujah, King Jesus!

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, 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."
This was a worthy praise and adoration of Jesus. He was and is the King of Israel who came in the name of the Lord. Apparently the crowd got word that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, and they met Him before He entered the city with these praises. We can join them in giving Jesus glory today. “Hosanna! Blessed are You, Jesus, who has come into my heart for the glory of Your name, even my King, Savior, and Lord. Thank you for another day of life to know and love You and to live to love with You. Anoint and fill us with the Holy Spirit, Your presence and power, so we can love and trust You and love all those You put in our paths today for Your glory. Amen.

John 12:10-11 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.
The Pharisees were creating a first century cancel culture—the ultimate cancel culture. Literally cancel the lives of those who threaten the way of life we have created for ourselves. Perhaps the apostle James best explains what lies at the heart of their evil scheme. “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:16). Jealousy and selfish ambition existed in Satan’s heart and Adam and Eve fell prey to the lie against the truth. The Pharisees not only planned to cancel Jesus’ voice, but Lazarus’ as well. We can expect the world to do the same with our testimonies of resurrection life. The more they try to cancel us, let us realize that God is simply setting the stage for a display of His power and love through us as we refuse to revile and hate in return. Instead may we show the wisdom of God as we love with Jesus.

John 12:9 The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.
We died when Jesus died. That’s our first death. We were raised from the dead when He was raised from the dead. What was the difference between Lazarus before he died and Lazarus after he was raised? People wanted to know—a large crowd of people. I wonder if our new resurrection life after our conversion shouldn’t also draw a crowd. Not just for Jesus’ sake, but because they want to know what happened to us. How is it that once we were dead to Jesus and lived to only love ourselves, but now we are alive to Jesus and live to love with Him? What was it like to take off the grave clothes and see Jesus and dine with Him? Can we describe that experience? Well, I was dead and my selfish life stunk. Then I heard Jesus speak, and His life filled my soul and body and I began to live to love with Him.