Apples of Gold

I am not the biggest fan of crowds. Avoiding long lines and crowded venues entices our family to often book our vacations at more popular destinations during the off season. The lower rates don’t hurt either! 

Crowds evoke an assumption of closeness. Whether a famous musician, actor or athlete, many in the crowd often infer a relationship with someone they have actually never interacted with. 

Jesus was surrounded by a crowd during the Triumphant Entry. Likely this group was made up a variety of people. Some had merely heard about Jesus, others had witnessed a miracle, or knew someone who had. Those who actually had interacted with Jesus were there too. 

At this moment in time, all these people came together to form a crowd that was there to see Jesus. The energy was high and Jesus was adored.

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!  John 12:12-13 

Jesus cared about everyone in this crowd but not all of them cared about him. Many were caught up in the excitement. Some were hoping Jesus was ready to stage a coup. 

Jesus tried to explain that he was headed for the cross:

Jesus replied, My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light. After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them. But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. John 12:35-37

Palm branches and cheering aside, most of the people in this crowd did not actually believe in Jesus. Some believed but failed to respond:

Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God. John 12:42-43

The excitement was over and so was the opportunity for the crowd to interact with Jesus. Knowing what was just around the corner, Jesus turned his complete attention to his disciples. 

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. John 13:1 

The next few hours are stuffed with an intensive full-immersion teaching session for Jesus’ disciples. Jesus was preparing them to continue on without his physical presence. 

The intimacy of relationship is clear as Jesus interacts with his crew. He is sharing things that were not available to those who came no closer than the crowd. 

The first time a new parent leaves their precious bundle with a sitter, you can pretty much count on a very detailed list of instructions being carefully and thoroughly articulated. Similarly, Jesus hit the areas that were going to be critical for the disciples survival in the coming months. 

He emphasized the importance of love:

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35

He revealed himself as the only way to the Father:

Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

He tied love to obedience:

If you love me obey my commandments. John 14:15

He prepared them for the difficulties they would soon face.

If the world hates you, remember it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. John 15:18-19

Jesus was available to everyone that stood in the crowd cheering for him. Many chose to remain in the crowd and walk away from the relationship he was offering to them. 

The disciples stepped forward as his crew. As followers of Jesus we too are part of that crew. The last instructions Jesus gave to his disciples remain of utmost importance to us today. 

Our interaction with each other will draw others closer to God or push them further away. The importance of this is driven home by the reminder that Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven. I certainly don’t want  my behavior to cause anyone to harden their heart. 

My obedience is evidence of my love for God. 

This world isn’t my home. I don’t belong here and I shouldn’t really fit in. If my convictions and interactions don’t make the lost uncomfortable with their lostness am I doing this right? 

It is easy to draw a crowd. It is far more difficult to step out of it; and yet this is exactly what God calls us to do.