On My Mind...
“It just didn’t make sense. It was not in keeping with what had been going on for the past three years. And it was dangerous. This was a time for laying low. This was a time to play it safe. Why take the risk? Why now? You know they are going to be looking for something like this. It’s suicide.” That must have been the confused reasoning of the disciples as Jesus made his approach to Jerusalem on the first day of that infamous week.
Weeks before, Jesus had “set his face as a flint for Jerusalem.” He resolutely determined to go there. Nothing could stop him – nothing would stand in his way. The time had come. That time established, by the Father, in eternity past. God’s eternal plan of redemption was now reaching its climax. For weeks Jesus had been preparing his disciples by focusing on the Kingdom. He talked about its requirements, you must have the faith of a child, a simple, dependent faith. You must be willing to lose everything to obtain it. Jesus taught them that such a thing is impossible with man but possible with God. He taught them to look up for the Kingdom of God was at hand. History’s greatest drama is about to be played out as the Sovereign Creator of the universe mounts a donkey colt and makes his way toward Jerusalem.
What a strange way for a king to enter the city. But this was a bold, calculated move by our Lord. This was a statement, a declaration. He was saying, “I am the Messiah. The long awaited One.” Thus, the cry of the people, “Hosanna!” was appropriate, “Lord save us, save us now.” Luke tells us, “When he drew near and say the city, he wept over it.” The word “wept” means to heave and sob. It was a loud, deep lamentation. Why? He saw the proud, unrepentant Holy City as a pile of rubble wet with blood. He saw its coming destruction. This is our God, holy, righteous and yet loving and compassionate. He grieves over the hearts that miss their day of salvation. His tears measure the value of your soul. I don’t think it is possible to overestimate the significance of what happened that day in Jerusalem. The triumphal entry dramatically revealed the significance of Jesus’ life and ministry. Behold your king.
I pray you will join us Sunday as we gather to worship our king. Have a blessed week, and I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
Weeks before, Jesus had “set his face as a flint for Jerusalem.” He resolutely determined to go there. Nothing could stop him – nothing would stand in his way. The time had come. That time established, by the Father, in eternity past. God’s eternal plan of redemption was now reaching its climax. For weeks Jesus had been preparing his disciples by focusing on the Kingdom. He talked about its requirements, you must have the faith of a child, a simple, dependent faith. You must be willing to lose everything to obtain it. Jesus taught them that such a thing is impossible with man but possible with God. He taught them to look up for the Kingdom of God was at hand. History’s greatest drama is about to be played out as the Sovereign Creator of the universe mounts a donkey colt and makes his way toward Jerusalem.
What a strange way for a king to enter the city. But this was a bold, calculated move by our Lord. This was a statement, a declaration. He was saying, “I am the Messiah. The long awaited One.” Thus, the cry of the people, “Hosanna!” was appropriate, “Lord save us, save us now.” Luke tells us, “When he drew near and say the city, he wept over it.” The word “wept” means to heave and sob. It was a loud, deep lamentation. Why? He saw the proud, unrepentant Holy City as a pile of rubble wet with blood. He saw its coming destruction. This is our God, holy, righteous and yet loving and compassionate. He grieves over the hearts that miss their day of salvation. His tears measure the value of your soul. I don’t think it is possible to overestimate the significance of what happened that day in Jerusalem. The triumphal entry dramatically revealed the significance of Jesus’ life and ministry. Behold your king.
I pray you will join us Sunday as we gather to worship our king. Have a blessed week, and I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod