Is a cup half full or half empty? Your answer shows whether your perspective tends to be positive or negative. Our perspective is the conclusions we draw in observing a given situation or person. It involves one’s frame of reference and attitude that, many times, are conditioned by a person’s culture and family upbringing. One’s perspective can change as one matures, gains insight and engages in new experiences in relationships. For example, one may have a prejudice toward people of a different race or nationality until he travels to that nation and/or befriends a person of that race. His perspective then changes from judgement to interest and from criticism to appreciation.
I have been fascinated by the different perspectives represented in the one event of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In John, chapter 12, we see Jesus fulfilling Scripture by riding on a young donkey as He enters the city. There is a large crowd waving palm branches and crying out: “Hosana! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (v.13) The multitude’s perspective was that this event marked the beginning of the Messianic reign and the end of the Roman oppression. The salutation, “Hosana”, was a declaration that help had arrived. Their perspective was influenced by a long-awaited expectation of political revolution.
In verse 19, we see the perspective of the Pharisees. They saw this event as a threat to their privileged position and prosperity. Their comment was: “…Look, the world has gone after him.” In their eyes, this was not a positive turn of events. Red flags went up in their minds as they imagined what Rome’s reaction could be. A few more verses into this narrative we read that there some Greeks were also present at this event. We can only read into this account what could have been their perspective. We know that in verse 21 they are talking to Andrew and Philip about arranging an interview with Jesus. My guess is that these Greeks wanted to invite Jesus to Athens. With His popularity and anointing, Jesus would make quite a “hit” in the cultured environment of Greece.
I can just imagine Andrew and Philip jumping up and down in excitement. A world tour! Jesus’ ministry was about to go international. Wow! Jesus’ time had come. In their perspective, Jesus’ glory and fame would also boost their importance. Jesus responded: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be gloried.” (v.23) I can just hear these two disciples say: “Yes! It is time”. But Jesus’ perspective was different. He began to talk about a seed falling to the earth and dying. It was like Jesus was on a completely different page. In the agony of this pressure to conform to the perspectives of others, Jesus cries out: “Father, glorify your name”. (v.28) With this the heavens break forth with God’s audible perspective: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
God looks at the affairs of man with a Heavenly perspective. It is the perspective of eternity. God knew that death would be swallowed up in victory; that through the cross all people would be drawn to Jesus. God’s perspective looks beyond the present to the future. It was the joy of seeing God’s name glorified and salvation coming to mankind, that Jesus could endure the cross. The cross, in man’s perspective was negative, but in God’s perspective it was positive. The Friday in which Christ was crucified, has become Good Friday. That is God’s perspective.
Scriptures to meditate on:
John 12:12-32, 45; Isaiah 55:8; Hebrews 12:2; Matthew 16:13-17