“An Unexpected Homecoming"
John 12:12-26
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” [John 12:24]
What is interesting is that Jesus said this right after His triumphal entry. “…a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel.’” [John 12:12-13]
It was the only public demonstration that our Lord allowed while ministering on earth. It marked the first Palm Sunday that fulfilled the Messianic prophecies of Zechariah 9:9; Psalm 118:25; and Daniel 9:25. In just a few days, however, He would go to the Cross to die for the sins of the world. It was not the outcome expected. The crowds were looking for Messiah to set up a physical rule [ref. 12:34], and in so doing did not recognize His Coming. It was an unexpected homecoming.
God’s will, way, and timing, however, would be fulfilled regardless of human expectation. “His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.” [Jn. 12:16]
It is usually when we look back at fulfilled prophecy that we understand its implications. So often when the prophetic Word is being fulfilled, we do not understand. And such was the case with our Lord’s First Coming. It was expected by God yet unexpected by the world.
And yet it will happen again when He returns. He will come again when no one expects it. Jesus described this in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins [ref. Matthew 25:1-13]. In the end there will be those who come in and those who are shut out.
The question we must ask ourselves is this, “Are we ready to meet our Lord?” Are we truly ready for His return? It is not a matter of Christian lingo; it is a matter of a life committed to Him. The walk of faith is just that, a walk! It is real commitment, not just words. Our words are ratified in our deeds.
It is not that deeds get us in, but they show that we are in. We must be living Spirit-filled lives.
Jesus came unexpectedly the first time; He will do so again a second time. He came to die for our sins the first time; He will come to rule and reign the second time. Our part is to always be ready.
