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How often the response of man in his worship of God is evaluated and guided by the
well meaning but doubtful traditions of church leaders rather than that found in the Word
of God when it is properly understood.
The theme of prophecy fulfilled is found yet again in this chapter:
"Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These
things understood not His disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then
remembered they that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these
things unto Him" (12: 15, 16).
If those inspired by the Holy Ghost to write the Gospels had not added the words "as it
is written" the ordinary reader might have missed this prophecy tucked away in
Zechariah 9: 9 and in so many other words and incidents that fulfilled O.T. prophecy.
God seems to have used this declaration and fulfillment of prophecy as His seal of truth
on the O.T. and its recorded fulfillment in the N.T. There is no escaping this glorious and
wise plan of God and it is of great interest we read the following:
"He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the
word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken
of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should
say, and what I should speak" (12: 48, 49).
Does not this infer that man in the last day will be confronted by the Word of God and
judged on his acceptance or rejection of it? Again let us remember when Christ refers to
His words we must include all that vital body of doctrine the risen Lord gave His Apostle
Paul to deliver to us.
Indicative of the span of prophecy, verse 31 looks back to Gen. 3: 15:
"I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed and her
seed; it shall bruise thy (Satan's) head (authority and position), and thou shalt bruise his
heel."
"Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world (Satan) be
cast out" (John 12: 31).
Following prophecy through the ages, we see signs in this chapter of the change in
dispensation:
"But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on
Him: that the saying of Esaias might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath
believed our report? and to whom hath the arms of the Lord been revealed? Therefore
they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and
hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their
heart, and be converted, and I should heal them" (12: 37-40).
While verse 42 records that many believed, yet the signs of national rejection were
already being established.
Continuing with this thought: