The Week of the Cross!
Jesus had traveled from the area of Jericho to Bethany, which was just a couple of miles east of Jerusalem. Jesus was able to relax and have a quiet supper that evening, after the Sabbath, with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Mary had anointed the Lord with oil.
But on Sunday, there would be a noisy public parade that proceeded from Bethany all the way to Jerusalem. Jesus was the reason for the parade! You see, the next Friday, Jesus would die and He knew His death was the will of His Father. It was all part of His plan for salvation to us all! Jesus knew that He would be salvation to a lost world. Jesus continues to give us a living example of how to live a life for God.
All four of the Gospels record the event: Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19. I invite you to take out your Bible and read from each as to the details of this week from Sunday to Sunday! It won’t just change your life; it will change your eternity! Our Lord rode in on a donkey colt, one that had never been ridden. Y’all ever try riding a young donkey that has never been ridden. Yes, Jesus is Lord of all!
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (nasb)
So, here we have this parade with the path covered by coats and palm leaves. It was the only time, during His ministry on earth, that He allowed the people to make a big deal out of Him. In doing so, Jesus publicly acknowledged Himself as Israel’s King and Messiah. This, of course, upset the religious leaders tremendously. Jesus was proclaiming to be Messiah! Yep, God had a plan! And what a plan it was!
Jesus had two disciples go recover the young donkey that He was to ride to Jerusalem on. He told them if anybody asked what they were doing to tell them, “The Lord has need of it.” How many times has God desired to involve you in what He is doing? How many times have you told Him, not right now, I have this or that to do? How many times has He said, I am in need of you; I need you to be my hands, my feet, my voice, I need your horse, or I have need of your pickup? Yet, we say I am busy. Sometimes, we think about how hard it is to wait on God, but how many times has He had to wait on you and me? The Savior is waiting, let Him come in!
The Palm Sunday parade was all part of His plan. It set into motion what must take place for Jesus to go to the cross. Yes, God not only allowed it, He was the one who set it into motion. For God loves us so much He sent His Son. He even sent Him to the cross. And, of course, early on the Third Day made it all make sense! He is Risen!
If you’re a Christian and you’re reading this, what have you done for Him? It’s time to ride for the Brand. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. What else is there? We’re burnin’ daylight. We don’t know the day or the time, so be ready. He wants you to be part of His plan! What are you going to do with it? Then let’s do it!
Choose Jesus, choose life and let your light shine! And find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! Tell others! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’
for HIS HARVEST! And hey, y’all let us all be of one accord and pray for some rain on this parched land! Amen!