Blessings,
Hosanna! (Save now!)
This is the cry that greeted Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem for the last time. “Blessed is He that comes in the name of The Lord!” (Quoted from Psalm 118:25-26) The multitude threw their garments and palm branches before Him, the symbol of victory, hailing this Man who had healed the sick, blind, and lame, and raised the dead. Surely, He had come to save them. He had the power to destroy their enemy.
Yet, no one seemed to notice that this champion was riding not a mighty steed, but a lowly donkey. Not even His disciples questioned His choice of transportation. A king goes into battle on a powerful stallion. The rider of a donkey comes in peace. Why didn’t they get it?
Even as He approached the city in Luke 19:41-42, Jesus knew they still wouldn’t get it, and He cried out loud for them:
“Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.’”
The truth is, the people were so focused on the earthly, their Roman oppressors, they had no clue who their real enemy was or what it would take to defeat him. In spite of all God had done for them, how He had proven Himself time and time again in the past, they refused to give up their own agendas for their ultimate salvation.
Jesus didn’t do what they wanted Him to do, when they wanted Him to do it, so just days after hailing Him with Hosannas and blessings, these same people were crying, “CRUCIFY HIM!”
Do we do that? Do we get so wrapped up in our worldly trials that we cry out to God, “Save now!” only to curse Him when His salvation doesn’t look like we want it to?
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says:
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Spiritually maturing means growing in faith, learning to trust our all powerful God, not our circumstances—no matter how scary they may be or how badly it hurts.
He has promised to never leave or forsake us (Joshua 1:5). He has promised to protect us (Psalm 61:1-3). He has promised that ALL things work together for our good (Romans 8:2). God never lies (Hebrews 6:18).
He is worthy of our faith and our love.
But, even knowing He would be rejected, and then facing the pain and humiliation heaped on Him by those who praised Him days earlier, Jesus, hanging on the cross in agony, petitioned for their forgiveness. He understands our human frailties, because He was one of us. And no matter how loudly we may scream, “CRUCIFY HIM!” at times, He is quick to forgive. His love never fails.
Heavenly Father,
Help us to keep our eyes on You. You are bigger than our circumstances. Help us trust You, as You mold us into holy vessels, as You prune us into fruitful trees, that You may be glorified in all we say and do. Amen.
God’s grace and peace be yours,
Rebecca
