The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
(John 12:12-13)
This week is Palm Sunday which means Jesus is moving toward the cross one step at a time. This marks the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt which was often a way for a king to enter a city during biblical times to show his power and authority. In a few days from then, the crowd begins to turn and those that praised him a week before became the accusers and a mob of people calling for his death.
I think we as believers sometimes get caught in that same place. We are joyous and happy with Christ but when something enters our lives that is uncomfortable, difficult or problematic we turn on Him and begin to question all that He does. Most often we blame Him for our woes without realizing that He is still walking that same path and it is us that has strayed off into the allies of life. Scripture tells us that God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). His love for us is not dependent on our emotions and loyalty. It is dependent only on His love and loyalty. That is the amazing thing about grace, Christ came into this world knowing His lot in life, knowing His death and yet despite the ups and downs of the people that worship Him, He is there, steady in His path. Do others around us see us living out that same principle? Loving them and this world in spite of what is done. When I hear people talk about how they have "lost a friend" over a misunderstanding, it pains me and then reminds me what Jesus said in John 15:13-Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Much love,
Preach
