Something to think about:

It’s interesting how something so simple can be misunderstood in a way as to completely distort the whole context of the truth. A few misplaced letters or words in a sentence can completely change the meaning of the message, or a person’s misreading of the text can change the meaning as well.

We see this very clearly in the New Testament description of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of the week of Passover in what we call Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In this passage, in John 12, Jesus makes His most important, and final entry into Jerusalem, as King (and as martyr).

But, before we get to John 12, let’s read a passage of scripture from the book of Hebrews in the New Testament. This passage describes the very purpose of Jesus, and the joy in which He embraced that purpose.

Let’s take a look:

Now, let’s look at how Jesus approached the cross during his final days…

Key Point: “Misplaced joy comes from misunderstanding God’s purposes, and this leaves a person disillusioned and frustrated; however true, fulfilling joy comes in trusting that God’s purposes are always right.”

What can we learn from this passage today about misplaced joy and misunderstanding God’s purposes?...

1. Judas’ understanding of Jesus was skewed, unlike Mary’s, because He was focused on money instead of Jesus.

John 12:4-5 (NLT), 4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”

2. The Passover visitor’s understanding of Jesus was skewed because they misunderstood who Jesus was.

John 12:12-13 (NLT), 12 The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 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!”

3. The disciples’ understanding of Jesus was skewed because they misunderstood Jesus’ prophecies about Himself.

John 12:16 (NLT), His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy.

Something to take home:

Jesus’ mission wasn’t to conquer the world by might, but by love. Jesus’ purpose was to usher in the kingdom of God and His righteousness by way of His life, and His death (and, as we’ll see next week, His resurrection).

This seemed counterintuitive and counterproductive, and the people’s initial joy at the sight of Jesus entering into Jerusalem was misplaced because the misunderstood Jesus’ purpose. Thus, the same people who cried out “Hosanna! Praise the Lord!” just days before, would cry out “Crucify Him!” in the end because Jesus didn’t turn out to be the Messiah they wanted.

Is Jesus the “Messiah,” Savior, you want or expect? Have you misunderstood His purpose and place in the world like the Jewish people who cried out “Hosanna!” on the final day He entered Jerusalem? Are your expectations of Him misguided and misplaced, thus leaving your joy misguided and misplaced?

Maybe it’s time to stop asking, “Jesus who are you?” and start asking, “Jesus who am I?” For, when we ask the later, Jesus is willing to lead us to the answer that can only come from an intimate relationship with Him. This takes trust and hope in His purposes rather than our own.

Key Point: “Misplaced joy comes from misunderstanding God’s purposes, and this leaves a person disillusioned and frustrated; however true, fulfilling joy comes in trusting that God’s purposes are always right.”