Although it doesn’t look very spring-like today and the cold wind is blowing snow across the fields, the birds aren’t fooled. They are determined it’s their time to be here and are bravely pecking through the snow for their daily sustenance. This reminds me of Rich’s Palm Sunday sermon last year. He noted that the “Triumphal Entry” wasn’t really one of triumph for Jesus. The people mistook the signs and prophecies, molding them into their own vision for freedom. But God had a different plan in mind:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Jesus came to Jerusalem for a final confrontation with the Jewish leaders and to complete His Father’s plans. What the common people viewed as the beginning of a new era for their nation was actually the beginning of the end. In this final week, Jesus wrapped up all the loose ends of His ministry. Separating the wheat from the chaff, His teachings were confrontational and pointed. Warnings of judgment to come, the cleansing of the Temple, denouncement of the priests and scribes; all pointed to His authority as God’s chosen Son. The establishment of the LORD’s Supper and His prayerful preparation of His disciples were His final arrangements made before the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning Messiah. Later that week, when Hope hung dead on a Roman cross, the darkness closed in over mankind. But, wait! What appeared to His followers as defeat and despair was actually victory! Jesus Christ conquered sin and death, rising from the grave, never to die again!
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 15:55-57
Love as always, Elaine
No comments:
Post a Comment