(This post is a week late.)
Childlike faith is characterized by an unswerving commitment, in spite of a lack of understanding. It does not mean that we check our minds at the door, but it does mean that faith in His goodness and power governs transcends our comprehension.
Matthew 21:1-17
Honestly, I've always been confused by celebrating on Palm Sunday. (Similarly, I've never understood high school pep rallies, either.) It seems premature. Why celebrate that people are fickle and Jesus is about to die?
I think it is interesting that Jesus did not tell the people that their praise was premature. He didn't tell them, "Please hold your applause until my second coming." In fact, Jesus said that if they didn't celebrate, even the rocks would cry out! In fact, the Zechariah 9:9 prophecy says,
This past week, I have really been struggling with the "now and the not yet". Jesus told us to pray for our Father's Kingdom to come and for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. It is quite clear that there is no coronavirus in Heaven, and yet, it appears to me that coronavirus is on a rampage.
(Mt. 21:9) As Jesus entered the city on a donkey, the people shouted "hosanna", which means "save now". Even though we wait, we know that not only will He save us completely one day, but He is currently in the process of saving us.
(Mt. 21:12-14) Jesus went into the temple, and he healed the blind and the lame. From the perspective of Isaiah 61, this is one of those messianic mic-drop moments. How can it be any more clear that Jesus is the Messiah??? And yet, it is simultaneously incredibly anticlimactic. Instead of donning a crown and overthrowing the Roman government, he leaves the temple only to be crucified five days later.
Maybe the point is that it is never too early to celebrate that Jesus is the Messiah? Even if we don't see His Kingdom fully manifested, we still celebrate now like it is. Even if it seems like Coronavirus and other evils are unchecked, we celebrate that Jesus is King, and justice is on its way. Maybe Palm Sunday is about celebrating in spite of waiting for the day when we will be finally free from sin and death. Jesus's kingdom is upside-down from this world. He didn't come riding in on a champion steed or celebrated war-horse; he rode in on a rookie, second-class, blue-collar animal that occasionally balks.
I don't want to make Palm Sunday about Coronavirus, because it's even bigger than that. There are so many other diseases and unjust causes of death that it is overwhelming to think about.
But the reality is that Jesus is with us. Zechariah tells us that our King is victorious, and He is with us. He is victorious, and He is with us. Those two truths are more important than any battle wins or losses.
Honestly, I've always been confused by celebrating on Palm Sunday. (Similarly, I've never understood high school pep rallies, either.) It seems premature. Why celebrate that people are fickle and Jesus is about to die?
I think it is interesting that Jesus did not tell the people that their praise was premature. He didn't tell them, "Please hold your applause until my second coming." In fact, Jesus said that if they didn't celebrate, even the rocks would cry out! In fact, the Zechariah 9:9 prophecy says,
"Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
This past week, I have really been struggling with the "now and the not yet". Jesus told us to pray for our Father's Kingdom to come and for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. It is quite clear that there is no coronavirus in Heaven, and yet, it appears to me that coronavirus is on a rampage.
(Mt. 21:9) As Jesus entered the city on a donkey, the people shouted "hosanna", which means "save now". Even though we wait, we know that not only will He save us completely one day, but He is currently in the process of saving us.
(Mt. 21:12-14) Jesus went into the temple, and he healed the blind and the lame. From the perspective of Isaiah 61, this is one of those messianic mic-drop moments. How can it be any more clear that Jesus is the Messiah??? And yet, it is simultaneously incredibly anticlimactic. Instead of donning a crown and overthrowing the Roman government, he leaves the temple only to be crucified five days later.
Maybe the point is that it is never too early to celebrate that Jesus is the Messiah? Even if we don't see His Kingdom fully manifested, we still celebrate now like it is. Even if it seems like Coronavirus and other evils are unchecked, we celebrate that Jesus is King, and justice is on its way. Maybe Palm Sunday is about celebrating in spite of waiting for the day when we will be finally free from sin and death. Jesus's kingdom is upside-down from this world. He didn't come riding in on a champion steed or celebrated war-horse; he rode in on a rookie, second-class, blue-collar animal that occasionally balks.
I don't want to make Palm Sunday about Coronavirus, because it's even bigger than that. There are so many other diseases and unjust causes of death that it is overwhelming to think about.
But the reality is that Jesus is with us. Zechariah tells us that our King is victorious, and He is with us. He is victorious, and He is with us. Those two truths are more important than any battle wins or losses.
(Mt. 21:16) When the religious leaders rebuked Jesus for accepting the praise of the children, Jesus quoted Psalm 8:
"'From the lips of children and infants
you, Lord, have called forth your praise'?"
Childlike faith is characterized by an unswerving commitment, in spite of a lack of understanding. It does not mean that we check our minds at the door, but it does mean that faith in His goodness and power governs transcends our comprehension.
So, my responses are to (1) enjoy the bowl being empty during this season of quarantine, (2) choose to believe that Jesus is with us through the Holy Spirit and that He loves us, and (3) choose to be a fountain of hope flowing through me into those I influence.
Father, I believe that you are good and that you are in control. I don't understand why you are taking so long to stop evil, but I trust you. Please show me what my role is in revealing the Kingdom of Jesus. Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence and power. I love you.
No comments:
Post a Comment