Read John 12:12-17
In this passage the Jews welcome Jesus in as the king of Israel to Jerusalem and to the temple of God.
The crowds were waving palm branches and shouted Hosanna which literally means save now, calling for their own salvation by the king, by the Messiah.
They also shouted “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel.” This is a reference to Ps 118 in which those at the temple would welcome pilgrims to the temple to the house of God. The people were welcoming this pilgrim, Jesus, who is also the king of Israel to the temple with shouts of praise.
This is likely a very familiar story to you as it is in all four gospels and is a story we share nearly every year on Palm Sunday. However, it is easy to think that this is just a story, not an example for us to follow. In the Old Testament God dwelled in the temple in Jerusalem and the nation of God’s chosen people, the Jews, had a king. For the king to return Jerusalem and to the temple would mean he physically did that. In a similar way today God dwells in the temple, the bodies of believers, and the nation of God’s chosen people, Christians, have a king, Jesus.
As believers we should follow the example of the Jews and welcome the king back into the temple with shouts of praise and worship.
God lives within us but how often do you remember that and invite him in and worship him?
If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior will you worship him and praise him and welcome him into his temple that is your body. Will you worship him more? He’s asking for more. He wants more. He doesn’t need it but he wants all of you and by worshiping and inviting him in, you offer yourself, his temple, for his use.
This week and in your life will you spend more time worshipping God? He deserves it, he is worthy of it, and he has earned your worship. Will you choose to worship him more?
