Our Sunday School teacher shared a message for Palm Sunday. He reminded us that all of the events were at God’s direction, even the roles that Satan plays. After all, God could have sent Lucifer (Satan) straight to the pit; or He could have prevented the snake (Satan) from luring Eve and Adam. Why did God allow Satan to roam free and to participate in leading to the crucifixion of Jesus? God gave man the freedom of choice. If man couldn’t experience struggle and sorrow, and couldn’t see evil, how would man know success, joy, and good? Don’t we need spiritual opposition to make us choose God?
James 1:12 tells us that trials lead to promise: “12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Holy week was a true roller coaster from the triumphant entry on Sunday to death on the cross on Friday. But, hold on, cause Sunday (when Christ is risen) is coming!
Our Service opened singing Hosanna and our young folks coming in waving palm fronds. Pastor first gave an offering message on sacrifice and giving – by Jesus Christ and by believers.
2 Samuel 24:18-25 tells how King David bought a threshing floor to set up an altar. The owner offered the place, the oxen, and supplies to the king for free. But David responded that he could not accept the items free because “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
Salvation is a free gift from Jesus, but worship has a cost. Giving ourselves, our talents, and our resources is part of our worship.
Pastor then shared the message for Palm Sunday. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Coming into the city on a horse is a picture of a triumphant king. Why did the local men allow Jesus’s disciples to take the colt for their master? Mark 11: 1-9. When we accept Christ and follow him, we live in obedience. The job description for a Christian is “listen and obey.”
In the day of Moses leading Israel from Egypt, they celebrated the Passover sacrifice to signify their freedom. At the time of Passover, Jesus is the sacrifice for our sin and all of us have sinned. We deserve the death penalty for our sin. God the Spirit convicts us.
Before his death, Jesus reveals who he is. Riding on the colt is fulfillment of prophesy found in Zechariah 9:9. The people of the day wanted Jesus to be a political savior, but he came to be a spiritual savior.
Our cry of Hosanna is another act of worship.
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40.
We need to allow Jesus to show us who He is. The book of Revelation is not about John, but about the reconciliation through Jesus. Jesus comes running to us. We can believe that God has greater things for us as we are promised eternal life.
But He also promises good things now, not always free from trouble, but abundant living.
Today we want God to make things work for us right now. But are we ready to surrender to do the right thing? The Will of God?
Jesus is more concerned about our eternal salvation than our earthly comfort. We need to be Spirit led rather than purpose driven!
We live in the ‘now and not yet’ kingdom.
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil...to give us freedom. It is true that people can be demon possessed and oppressed. But Jesus can deliver us from the devourer. Jesus can save us now. God wants us whole. God wants us free from addiction. God wants us to live in the Kingdom – the King’s Dominion. When we seek His Kingdom come and His will be done, Jesus is ready to give us a crown of glory.
I liked this song for today: A Thousand Hallelujahs.
Mark 11:1-9 NIV
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Jesus, my Lord. Thank you for being my Sacrifice!
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