John 12:19 

New International Version (NIV)

So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

For Meditation
Jealousy can dull the human sense and blind us to spiritual realities. The self usually gets so enamored by itself that it cannot see anything good in anyone apart from itself. It is either us or nothing. O, how we miss out on heaven’s dew! In that condition, our wounded ego berates us into misery. And how miserable we are! How bitter!
That was the story of the Pharisees and religious leaders around Jesus. When the evidence to His Messianic claims became overwhelming, they insisted in their denial and missed their Redeemer and King.

Jesus raises Lazarus, and the mourners are amazed (Jn. 11:43-44). But poor leaders! They sulk and gather to review their strategy.

“What are we accomplishing? … If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation” (47-8).

Liars! Just confront your wounded pride and be free!

But He is in Bethany again, and dining in the house of Simon the Leper, with Lazarus “reclining at the table with Him” (12:2). A huge crowd gathers. Our educated friends bemoan their dwindling space and authority and are scared.

“Let’s kill Him”, they say. “On account of [Lazarus], many of the Jews [are] going to Jesus and believing in Him” (10-11).

Now, He is entering Jerusalem, riding on a colt. The city is in an uproar (12-12-15). The palm branches. The cloth cloaks on the road. The chant of, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel” (13).

“No! We are undone!” they muse.

“See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone to Him!” (19).

Some exaggerated statements could be prophetic, you know. This was only Jerusalem, but the leaders saw a worldwide clamor for Christ – all peoples and nations and tongues, coming to the Savior of the world. Why? Because He is what His name, words, miracles, and the Holy Spirit say He is – God incarnate. Redeemer King. “I AM” with His people. He never turns anyone away but saves completely for eternity, everyone who yields their life to Him in repentance (Acts 2:38).

But to the Jewish scholars and leaders, Jesus was only a poor carpenter’s son. Jealousy caused them to miss their Messiah. Their jaded pride blinded them from their King.

Please, whatever your ancestry, educational background, social orientation, or religious persuasion, don’t let your wounded pride lead you that way. In humility, bend your knees to the only Savior and Lord. He will save you and give you peace beyond yourself (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12; Rm. 10:13; 5:1).

Shalom.