The Big Buts of Passion Week
Sunday 4.1.07
Read Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19
All four of the gospels record Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. With little variance – though some variance should be expected, just as four different reporters covering a news event would differ slightly in their accounts – the gospel writers record Jesus arriving on a donkey to the cheers of crowds that gathered to form a welcome fit for a king. This scene, reminiscent of the prophet Zechariah’s foretelling as Matthew and John noted in their gospels, was a pretty clear testament to Jesus’ identity. The cries of ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’ were a clear proclamation from the people that they had gathered to welcome their king. But…
Luke is the only gospel writer who records Jesus’ lament over what He sees. Jesus saw the city and its jubilation and said ‘If only you knew what would bring you peace, but now it is hidden from your eyes.’
What do you make of this? As you read the different accounts, you find throngs of people shouting words of acclamation. You see people taking the garments off of their backs and laying them on the road before Jesus. You see them waving palm branches. The excitement of the people did not correspond to a genuine embrace of the Lord. You know that in just a matter of days these same crowds will be shouting ‘Crucify Him!’
What characterizes your welcoming your King? Is it gathering amidst shouts of acclamation? Is it the sacrifice of giving the shirt off your back? Is it the practice of raising and waving your hands in praise? It needs to be more. Better – it needs to run deeper.
Recognize that your King doesn’t come to bring you peace – rather He is your peace. Recognize that the things of religious devotion – say, shouts of praise, acts of benevolence and expressive worship – matter not if your heart is not subject to your King.
Father: Will you forgive me where the shouts and external displays of my life exceed my inward devotion to you? Will you help me to know real peace in Jesus? May ‘hosannas’ and ‘hallelujahs’ be the overflow of my heart!
Read Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19
All four of the gospels record Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. With little variance – though some variance should be expected, just as four different reporters covering a news event would differ slightly in their accounts – the gospel writers record Jesus arriving on a donkey to the cheers of crowds that gathered to form a welcome fit for a king. This scene, reminiscent of the prophet Zechariah’s foretelling as Matthew and John noted in their gospels, was a pretty clear testament to Jesus’ identity. The cries of ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’ were a clear proclamation from the people that they had gathered to welcome their king. But…
Luke is the only gospel writer who records Jesus’ lament over what He sees. Jesus saw the city and its jubilation and said ‘If only you knew what would bring you peace, but now it is hidden from your eyes.’
What do you make of this? As you read the different accounts, you find throngs of people shouting words of acclamation. You see people taking the garments off of their backs and laying them on the road before Jesus. You see them waving palm branches. The excitement of the people did not correspond to a genuine embrace of the Lord. You know that in just a matter of days these same crowds will be shouting ‘Crucify Him!’
What characterizes your welcoming your King? Is it gathering amidst shouts of acclamation? Is it the sacrifice of giving the shirt off your back? Is it the practice of raising and waving your hands in praise? It needs to be more. Better – it needs to run deeper.
Recognize that your King doesn’t come to bring you peace – rather He is your peace. Recognize that the things of religious devotion – say, shouts of praise, acts of benevolence and expressive worship – matter not if your heart is not subject to your King.
Father: Will you forgive me where the shouts and external displays of my life exceed my inward devotion to you? Will you help me to know real peace in Jesus? May ‘hosannas’ and ‘hallelujahs’ be the overflow of my heart!
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