This week Lets Pray will be a bit different. I would like to share what Jesus’ last week on this earth may have looked like. Walk with me through Jerusalem and turn your heart to Him.
Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Excitement! Energy that needs to be spent! You can get caught up in the moment and not even know what’s going on. You can shout and cheer and have no idea what you’re shouting and cheering for. Excitement, it can be contagious.
Did you ever have the opportunity to go down to the train tracks and watch the Ringling Brothers Circus unload their animals? As a child you could hardly contain yourself.
How about the Rose Bowl parade in California? You might have been awed by the beautiful floats, amazed that they were all made from flower pedals.
The best…going to or watching on the T.V., The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. You knew who would be the last one in line and you could hardly wait. You were continually bouncing with excitement and anticipation for Santa to appear! You can hear people shouting, “he’s coming”, “he’s almost here!” Shrieks and cheers erupt from your mouth even though you’re not sure it’s Santa. It doesn’t matter, someone is almost here!
Rewind 2000 years. There is a parade about that’s about to enter Jerusalem, the Holy City. The crowds are building, the excitement is almost at fever pitch. There are shouts and cheers and people ask, “what’s going on?”
It’s Jesus, He’s about to enter the city! Can you believe it? The Romans are about to be booted out! Jesus will be our King! He is finally going to take action!
More and more people crowd around Him, shouting praises and dancing in the streets, even if they didn’t have a clue what was going on.
Do you know what’s going on?
So many in Israel missed what happened that day. So many in this world are still missing it.
Jesus is taking action. He has become King. He wants to enter into your life and change you forever.
As we begin to walk with Jesus through this last week of His life on earth, realize what some of the struggles of this day might have been to Him.
He knew His time was close. He knew not only when He would die, but how. If you knew your last day was just a few days from today and it would be the worst type of death possible, could you face it with the courage and strength Jesus did?
He knew the cheers of this day would soon turn into cries for His death. Even as these people sang His praises, He knew they would soon curse Him. If you knew everyone around you would turn against you later this week, could you face them with love and compassion?
He knew that His battle with His enemy in just a few days, would leave Him void of the companionship with His Father. He knew He had to go it alone.
Do you know you don’t have to go through life alone? Through all your days, you have the blessing of living with your Jesus. In the tough times, the happy times, even through death, you will never be alone, ever.
As today unfolds, I would encourage you to remember just what Christ has done for you, personally. Maybe you would like to write a love letter to Him in your journal.
It’s good to be excited to know that He is coming. It’s even better to know Him personally. Get excited to know He is here!
Excitement, it can be contagious.
Jesus, You show me in every verse of Your Word how I should live. In spite of all the horrors You were about to face, You loved us still. In spite of all our misunderstandings of who You are, You love us still. You are my King and I want to glorify You with my life. My heart’s desire is to shine Your glory and to lift Your name on high. I praise You for coming into my life and giving me a purpose to live!
Amen.
With The Savior 