I was so struck by the worship today. As I drove to church, the
Newsboys song " God's not dead" brought tears to my eyes. What a
victorious life we live in HIM who is alive, on the inside, roaring like
a lion-- protecting me, loving me and directing me. I don't know how
many times I have heard this song, but for some reason, and in this
season that we celebrate, it was brought to life! God is not dead! He is
very much alive.
As I walked into church and was handed a palm
branch, I was reminded of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. In
Mark 11:1-11, Everyone was ready to pick out their own personal lamb to
sacrifice and make atonement for the sins of their family and children.
So they were on their way to Jerusalem to pick their lamb, taking the
offering to the priest for sacrifice. This particular day is called
"Lamb Selection Day" (or as we call it today, Palm Sunday). As the
pastor put it, "it would be like Costco the day before Thanksgiving." As
families were hustling around, trying to make their way to find the
"perfect" lamb, they noticed something different. In the chaos,
excitement and business of their travels, they paused. Suddenly, they
recognized the King, the One True sacrifice, Jesus, as He rode passed
them on a colt into the city. People where throwing down their coats and
palm branches to usher him in. Did they realize that the donkey that
passed them held the weight of the world's sins (Jesus)? Did they
realize they were seeing the One who bore their sins and would
voluntarily die as a sacrifice for their personal sins?? Even John the
Baptist proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God in John 1:29. It is no
coincidence that Jesus rode into the city on this day, "Lamb Selection
Day." what a beautiful picture!
I wonder if the people really knew
or believed in Who they just saw riding passed them. "Really? The King
of the World...and on a donkey? That is not glamorous at all...why not a
well-groomed horse like David's or the procession like many others
kings from the Old Testament who came back from a victorious battle." I
wonder how quickly things went back to business as usual once He trotted
past them. I bet there was a celebration and built up excitement. Yet
was the excitement a reaction to the crowd's excitement or because they
truly understood that they just saw the One True God? Did they stop
their minds long enough to digest and understand who He was, what He was
about to endure and the sacrifice He was going to make. How often in my
life do I neglect to "Be still and know that He is God?"
Looking
back on it, maybe they really didn't know what was going to come. Maybe
they did not listen closely when he was teaching and preaching and this
message just floated by them. Regardless, it is interesting to see how
quickly they threw down their coats and waved the branches (a sign of
Israel's freedom and independence). Yet, this week, we will see how
quickly they came to shout "Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
For
me, this has been a great (and painful) reminder. Do I acknowledge
Jesus as the Lamb of God? The precious and costly sacrifice? Just like
those hustling around to select their lamb sacrifice, have I lost sight
of what the sacrifice means....too busy to stop and watch the True Lamb
enter into my city, life and my heart? Am I quick to throw down my cloak
and wave my palm yet just as quick pick it back up and continue life as
usual--continue in my patterns of sin and quickly fall into temptation?
Have I forgotten the physical and spiritual pain Jesus endured? Do I
take time to listen to what He is teaching and preaching to me now,
knowing there will be a time when Jesus will depart from the earth
(Isaiah 55:6). Although I have not said the words "crucify Him," I
realize I have through my actions and attitudes...by choosing my way
over His way. By saying what He offers me is not enough. By being
self-reliant instead of God-reliant. What a good, yet painful lesson to
learn.
Despite all of this....while I am still a sinner (only saved by the grace of God), Jesus STILL died for me (Rom.5:8).
What
a gift! I pray as you reflect on these scriptures that you will allow
the One True God to not just walk past you, but to live in your heart!
To recognize that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God but have
been justified FREELY by God's loving grace (Rom. 3:23).
No comments:
Post a Comment