So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
- John 12:19

Not everyone’s happy about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

The Pharisees had a passion for moving the Jewish nation into deeper and deeper holiness. They piled rules on top of God’s commands, trying to keep the people away from the edge of disobedience. In the process, they became addicted to the power of their respectable religious social positions. Jesus’ very presence threatened to topple over their carefully balanced social order.

What we see in this passage runs deeper than mere jealousy. Mere jealousy sees a person’s new shoes and wants them. What we’re talking about here is the indignant feeling we might have if people got promoted ahead of us because of their fancy new shoes. It’s not about the shoes!

The Pharisees don’t want the adulation of the crowds. In fact, they probably would have tried to curb that enthusiasm. What they wanted was the influence that Jesus had. People listened to him. And that made him a threat.

Eventually, these Pharisees would arrest Jesus and arrange the dominoes to that Jesus dies on the cross. The crowds are roaring in worship, but not everyone is happy with Jesus.

Easter is coming in just a few days. And just like it was with Jesus 2,000 years ago, not everyone will be happy about it. Some will respond with grumpiness. Some with cynicism. Some will just ignore the holiday. And some will feel jealous or threatened.

Who do you know who won’t be happy about Easter? Pray that Jesus would turn their hearts and fill you with compassion and kindness toward them.