John 11:45-12:19
Dear RTB’ers,
He [Caiaphas] did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. (vv. 11:52-53) I wonder if the apostle John fully knew what he was writing here. Certainly Jesus’ death would go beyond “the nation”, even to the ends of the earth and centuries beyond!
We celebrate Palm Sunday with greater festivity than most other Sundays or feast days, yet John covers this event in only eight verses. [Matthew covers Jesus’ triumphal entry in eleven verses, Mark in ten, and Luke in thirteen.] Then again, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, so our Palm Sunday celebration serves as an introduction to the week ahead.
Jesus speaking: For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me. (v. 12:8) Matthew records these same words in 26:11a. Mark, however, adds one phrase that the others leave out, For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have Me. (Mark 14:7) I like Mark’s addition. I wish today’s billionaires would take note of Jesus’ words from Mark.
Blessings.
See also: