
So, here we are, the beginning of April and Covid 19 is still flexing its muscles. Store shelves may be nearly empty: I haven't actually walked into a store in weeks. We can only order one or two of certain high-demand items at a time: milk; eggs; meat; toilet paper, maybe. And forget about purchasing cleaning supplies. Nerves are rubbed raw. Businesses are leaking money. People continue gathering when they should be staying home. (Stay Home!) Schools are closed, perhaps for the remainder of the school year. Yikes! That's a lot.
During all of this chaos and turmoil have we stopped to look at the calendar? We are two days from Palm Sunday.
Over two thousand years ago, Jesus was traveling with His disciples; destination...Jerusalem. Jesus' apostles tried to dissuade Him, but His course was set. His time was near.
I can't help but wonder what Jesus was feeling at that time. While his followers were unaware of the plan for our salvation that had been set in place since the fall: Jesus knew. How could they comprehend the enormity of what lay before them? The clock was set. There was no turning back. Jesus was well aware of all this as He approached the city gates. Can you imagine?
Every single predestined detail lay before them: the mother donkey and her colt; the upper room for the Last Supper; the jubilant throngs scattering branches before Him; the angry Pharisees scheming His death.
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey: Not as a mighty king upon a great steed, but as the sacrificial Lamb of God. Only He knew His true purpose. The people hoped Jesus' purpose was to free them from Roman occupation. They flocked to him shouting "Hosanna, Hosanna!" Their deliverer had finally come, or so they thought. (For anyone, like myself, who knows just about every word to every song of Jesus Christ Superstar, the song, Hosanna may play through your mind.) Only Jesus knew the true purpose.
The very same people shouting praises to Jesus, would all too soon be crying, "Crucify him. Crucify him." Jesus knew this. He knew it before He entered the city. He knew it from the beginning. He knew it, and yet did not turn back. He knew he would be betrayed; denied; spat on; beaten and tortured; crucified; resurrected.
Why? Why would Jesus, Son of God, endure this suffering when He could have called down a legion of angels to save Him. One word. Love.
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
During this time of Covid 19, please don't lose sight of the enormity of the season we are in. While we are isolated from the outside world, take time to reflect. Grab our Bibles. Gather our families around us, and read: Matthew 21:10; Luke 19:28-40; Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-19.
Hosanna!
During all of this chaos and turmoil have we stopped to look at the calendar? We are two days from Palm Sunday.
Over two thousand years ago, Jesus was traveling with His disciples; destination...Jerusalem. Jesus' apostles tried to dissuade Him, but His course was set. His time was near.
I can't help but wonder what Jesus was feeling at that time. While his followers were unaware of the plan for our salvation that had been set in place since the fall: Jesus knew. How could they comprehend the enormity of what lay before them? The clock was set. There was no turning back. Jesus was well aware of all this as He approached the city gates. Can you imagine?
Every single predestined detail lay before them: the mother donkey and her colt; the upper room for the Last Supper; the jubilant throngs scattering branches before Him; the angry Pharisees scheming His death.
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey: Not as a mighty king upon a great steed, but as the sacrificial Lamb of God. Only He knew His true purpose. The people hoped Jesus' purpose was to free them from Roman occupation. They flocked to him shouting "Hosanna, Hosanna!" Their deliverer had finally come, or so they thought. (For anyone, like myself, who knows just about every word to every song of Jesus Christ Superstar, the song, Hosanna may play through your mind.) Only Jesus knew the true purpose.
The very same people shouting praises to Jesus, would all too soon be crying, "Crucify him. Crucify him." Jesus knew this. He knew it before He entered the city. He knew it from the beginning. He knew it, and yet did not turn back. He knew he would be betrayed; denied; spat on; beaten and tortured; crucified; resurrected.
Why? Why would Jesus, Son of God, endure this suffering when He could have called down a legion of angels to save Him. One word. Love.
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
During this time of Covid 19, please don't lose sight of the enormity of the season we are in. While we are isolated from the outside world, take time to reflect. Grab our Bibles. Gather our families around us, and read: Matthew 21:10; Luke 19:28-40; Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-19.
Hosanna!