Jesus is Essential
John 12:17–20: Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!” Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.
The news of the great miraculous sign—Lazarus raised from the dead—spread through the city, and other groups surged out to meet Him. It was a day of great popular acclaim, but sadly the people had little spiritual perception. The mass reception of Jesus made the plans of the Pharisees impossible.
They “were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill Him. ‘But not during the Feast, ¯ they said, ‘or the people may riot’.” Pessimistically they acknowledged, The whole world has gone after Him. Irony is again evident, for most of those people did not really believe in Jesus. The Greeks were the wanderers of the ancient world and the seekers of truth. These Greeks were probably God-fearers who attended Jewish synagogues and feasts. Their coming was symbolic of the coming of Gentiles to worship God through Christ. 1
Walking with Jesus
Is Jesus more than a popular person to you? Have you gone after Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Are you believing Him for a saving miracle in the life of a family member or friend?
After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. Mark 14:1
You will never regret being known as a person who has “gone after Jesus.”
Praying
Lord, thank You for initiating my relationship with You, through Your love and grace.
1. Walvoord, John F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
