Today’s Reading: John 12:12-19
Optional readings: Matt 26:6-13, 21:1-17, Mark 14:3-9, 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-46, John 12:1-11
Anointing at Bethany, Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
If we’ve been in church for any length of time, we’ve likely heard a sermon about how fickle the crowds were in Jerusalem during Jesus’ last week.
Today, we recall how they shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!”
This coming Friday, we’ll recall how they shouted, “Crucify him!”
They cannot have been truly convicted about both positions. So either they were too vocal too soon, or they were dishonest, or both.
Setting aside the fact that both events happened exactly as God ordained, what is it about humans that makes us so fickle? I think a lot of it goes back to issues we’ve already discussed: the need for acceptance, fear & insecurity, tribalism, etc.
Today, I would like us to consider how these defects make us impressionable. It took me a while to find that word. “Gullible” is close but not quite it. “Fickle” speaks more to the changeability than the faulty thinking.
I also want to walk a fine line here between impressionable and open-minded. What’s the difference, and why am I belaboring this so much? How about I move from the abstract to the concrete…
Think of some controversy in your personal life or community, perhaps something for which you didn’t really have a strong position. You may have heard one “side” and thought, “Well, I can see that. Yeah, I believe you’re right.” Then you hear someone argue for the other “side” and think, “Well, that sounds right also. Now I don’t know what to think. I think maybe you’re right.”
(Let’s ignore for the moment that most of this is likely the sin of gossip anyway.)
I see this a lot. Do you have a family member or friend who will pretty much take the side of the first story he hears? Or will always take the side of the favorite child? Or will just go with the majority opinion?
We are often more persuaded by loyalty than by truth.
We don’t have to take someone’s side just because he’s a friend. We don’t have to defend our political party’s leader just because we are a member of that party. We don’t always have to protect our kids from the choices they make.
What if, in this, they are wrong?
James refers to “a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (1:8).
Paul also speaks to the spiritually immature, “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” (Eph 4:14).
So how can we get solid footing?
Scripture alone.
Don’t just evaluate people’s words; take those words back to the lens of Scripture. Always.
And don’t just read it! I mean, yes, read it, but there is more.
Did you realize that Jesus’ teaching about the house built on the rock is not about Him or His words? It’s about being one who hears His words…and puts them into practice (Mt 7:24). Then we can have solid footing.
Know the Bible; do what it says (cf. James 1:22-25).
There is coming a time when Jesus’ followers will have to choose if they are in the “Blessed is the King of Israel” crowd or the “Crucify Him” crowd. Seriously, great deception is coming as we near Jesus’ return, and we must have solid footing.
“Jesus answered: Watch out that no one deceives you” (Mt 24:4).
Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name (Psalm 86:11). There is so much noise, Lord. There are so many voices, and it gets confusing and overwhelming. Still my heart, and give me ears to hear what You are saying in Your Word. Plant my feet so firmly in Your Truth that I will not be moved despite loyalties, adversities, and deceptions. Sanctify me in Your Truth; Your Word is Truth (John 17:17). Amen.