Sunday, March 28

OK, I know it has been a couple of day since the last entry. I'm sorry and I promise to do better this week. I had a great time in worship this morning, I hope you did too. Here's today's devotion --

Luke 19:37-44 - Palm Sunday
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." NIV

On the first day of the final week of Jesus' earthly life, Jesus makes a decision. It is time for everyone to know my intentions. I have come to establish my Kingdom and declare my Messiahship. The choice of coming into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey who had never been ridden was directly out of the prophecy of Zechariah (9:9). It was an obvious object lesson for all of Jerusalem to see. And you note that in v. 39 the Pharisees caution Jesus about the words of these followers-- they need to stop. But this is too big an announcement for them to stop. Jesus says the stones around them would shout the obvious. It is a big day.

But that big day included the broken heart that Jesus had for the city. He was broken-hearted for the very people that He knows are going to shout out for His death in less than a week. That challenges me. I know what it is like to receive the praises and accolades of people around you. Life is good while you know things are well. But to realize that those same crowds will turn away within a week and be willing to cry over their need-- that is amazing love. It is also the brokenness Jesus wants us to experience for those around us.

On Sunday it is easy to worship and to relate to those wanting to relate to us. But Monday is coming. How will you react? Let it be with the brokenness. Follow Jesus' example as we head toward the cross.