Schemes of Satan-16

Jesus last days on earth are quickly coming to a close. He is just days away from His cross. The ‘Jews’ are desperately trying to silence Him by killing Him. They fear the people but have no fear of GOD! Such is the state of religion in the world today.

John 12:12  On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 12:13  took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel." 

This is both a quote from Psalms but also a fulfillment of prophecy about Jesus being the true Messiah.

Psalms 118:26  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD; We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. 

12:14  Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, 12:15  "FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY'S COLT." 

This is another clear declaration of Jesus being the King and Messiah of Israel.

Zecariah 9:9  Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 

12:16  These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. 

His disciples did not understand. The ‘Jews’ refused to understand. The people were easily led from one way to another. This is the same today. Religion keeps people from the truth. They go from one extreme to another, always seeking yet never coming to the truth.

12:17  So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. 12:18  For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. 

Signs, miracles, and His teachings did not bring many into truly believing in Him as their King. Many people today will quickly say the Jesus is the Son of God, but live a life completely devoid of any true relationship with Him.

12:19  So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him." 

What will they do? In their minds, people following Jesus are not following them. This will not be tolerated. Religion keeps people from following Jesus. If you are not following Jesus, who are you following? Satan has created all the false beliefs, religions, and false teachers who deny Jesus but lead everyone to follow him. Most will fervrently deny that they are following Satan, but what is the only other choice?

More next Saturday.