Sight

“Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.” (John 12:9-11)

Just before Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He has several sight-related encounters. There is the healing of Blind Bartimaeus as Jesus is leaving the city of Jericho. Bartimaeus’s immediate reaction is to jump up and follow Jesus along the road (Mark 10:46-52). In the Gospel of Luke, this story is followed by the story of Zacchaeus, who climbs a tree in order to get a better view of Jesus. He ends up with a much more up-close-and-personal encounter than he ever expected, when Jesus stops under the tree and invites Himself over for dinner. By the end of their time together, Zacchaeus repents of his past life and vows to make amends to all of the people he has harmed over the years.

The Gospel of John then places Mary’s anointing of Jesus just prior to Palm Sunday. Mary, more than anyone else, seems to realize that something important is happening. Perhaps she somehow has eyes to see that Jesus is struggling with what lies ahead of Him that week. She responds with a lavish out-pouring of love, covering Jesus’s feet with an extravagant amount of costly perfume. Meanwhile, outside of the house, a large crowd is gathering. These people want to see for themselves if Jesus has really raised Lazarus from the dead, believing that He might be their long-awaited Messiah.

Interestingly, the Pharisees and teachers of the law hear many of the same reports about Jesus, and yet they come to a very different conclusion. To them Jesus looks dangerous—threatening to their way of life and their elevated position within the community.

Meditation: Consider times when your experience of Jesus has led you to respond dramatically to Him. What were these experiences? How did you respond?