Cheers
As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” (Luke 19:36, 37, 39, 40 NLT)
This comes from the reading many of our churches would have reflected on this past Sunday, Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. I touched on this in my sermon this past Sunday.
But what is quoted above is interesting to read. The Pharisees, feeling afraid or threatened by the crowd and their cheers, tell Jesus to silence them.
And the response Jesus gives is extraordinary. If the people were silent, then the stones would be cheering.
What a strong message to send to the Pharisees. Jesus is about to do something so great even nature itself cheers his actions.
The love of God is so great, His sacrifice so significant, nothing can ignore it.
Jesus has come to change the world. Not exactly as those who lined the road predicted because they couldn’t know. But he changed the world by showing God’s immense love and mercy by giving of himself on the cross so we can be changed.
Where is Jesus in your life? Do you know God’s mercy and love?
Cries
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs. Snatch me from the lion’s jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen. I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people. Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. (Psalms 22:1-3, 20-24 NLT)
Will our cries ever be answered?
When we’re in the bottom of a pit with no where to go, trapped in despair, where do we go? Who will help us?
David wrote in the 22nd Psalm about his struggles. How his enemies surrounded him, about the trials he faced. Yet he relied on The Lord for strength. He rested on The Lord for his protection and safety.
God will not turn His back on us. God will help us through the tough times.
Why?
Because of His deep love for His children.
God sent His Son for us. His Son, Jesus, who went to the cross for our pain. His Son, Jesus who rose again on Easter morning to show even death has no hold on us, for if we believe, God has prepared an eternal kingdom for us.
Crushed
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the Lord ’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord ’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. (Isaiah 53:5, 6, 9-12 NLT)
The prophet Isaiah saw it coming.
He prophesied what the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, would endure in his life. He also knew it would be our sin that caused the pain.
Yet Isaiah also knew there was a greater plan. He knew that this pain would lead to something much greater, and that all who believe would gain eternal life.
This Holy Week, may we realize what has been done for us on the cross. And how on on Easter morning death has been defeated. May we believe this is: Jesus Christ gave his life to save our own.
The Day Has Not Yet Come
“The Day Has Not Yet Come”
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Palm Sunday. A celebration! People lining the streets singing “Hosanna!” as they watch Jesus pass by on a donkey.
Since we didn’t read the story, let me share part of it with you now.
After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem… As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” (Luke 19:28, 36-38)
People lined the streets and recognized immediately this man riding down the path towards Jerusalem. And they bowed before him and shouted “Hosanna” which means “save us.” The disciples were amazed and praised God.
In the church today we call this the “triumphant entry.” Jesus coming to Jerusalem to make all things right. Everyone celebrating how Jesus will finally come into the city and bring the government to its knees. read more…
Watch
“The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!” (Mark 13:34-37 NLT)
Mark 13 talks a lot about the return of Christ to the earth. The time when God comes to collect the faithful.
In the story of the man on a long trip, we too have been given work to do in the absence of Jesus. We must be ready for his return. We must continue on with our work and we must watch for the signs of his return.
In the meantime, be faithful to the Lord. Let Him be our guide and draw ever closer.
It’s not too late. He has not yet returned, and people can still come to believe.