“His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.” (John 12:16 ESV).
John reflects on the moment when Jesus entered Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah by riding on a young donkey. At the time, neither John nor the other disciples fully grasped the significance of what was taking place. Though they had walked closely with Jesus and seen His miracles, their understanding was limited. It was only after Jesus was glorified—after His resurrection and ascension—that they began to recall the Scriptures and see how every moment of His life fulfilled what had been written. The Spirit helped them connect the Word with the work of Christ.
We are often like the disciples, slow to understand what God is doing in the moment. We may walk through seasons of confusion, wondering how certain events fit into God’s greater plan. But just as Jesus revealed Himself more clearly to His disciples after His resurrection, He continues to reveal Himself to us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. When we take time to reflect on Scripture with hearts open to the Spirit’s leading, we begin to see Jesus more clearly. The Word comes alive, and we start to connect the dots between prophecy and fulfillment, between God’s promises and our present experiences. Let us not be discouraged when we do not understand at first. Instead, let us remain faithful and expect the Spirit to teach us in time.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth. We confess that there are many things we do not understand at first. But we trust that in Your perfect timing, You will open our eyes to see how Your Word is fulfilled in Jesus. Help us to be patient learners, devoted to Scripture, and eager to hear from You. Teach us to recognize the hand of Christ at work in our lives and to remember all that has been written of Him. We want to grow in understanding so that we may follow Jesus more faithfully. In His name we pray, amen.