Luke 19:28 Jesus went on ahead to Bethany---it's the place where Lazarus was raised from the dead. Everybody in Bethany knew who Jesus was. I'm sure when they heard He was back, they came flocking. And He instructed two of His disciples there to find a donkey tied up---one on which no one has ever sat. Tell the guy "the LORD has need of it." Oh Omniscient One. You know everything even before the words is on our lips. Someone shared with me today the verses in Jeremiah 23:23-24. He is not a God Who is far off. Very near. There is nothing hidden from You. You know it all. Help us to live wide open.
Two miles away is Jerusalem. It was an uphill mile-high climb all the way. The King enters riding on a donkey. A Mission of Peace not War. Kings ride donkeys in peace. Kings ride horses in war. William Barclay said: "It was a breathtaking thing to think of a man with a price on his head, deliberately riding into a city in such a way that every eye is fixed on Him. It is impossible to exaggerate the sheer courage of Christ." Two and one-half million people are in Jerusalem for the Passover. Thousands and thousands witness the glory, the splendor, the majesty, the King of Kings. "Blessed is the King Who comes in the Name of the LORD."
When Jesus saw Jerusalem, He wept over it. Luke 19:41. I stood at that same spot and, yes, the tears flowed, but they were also for the next part of the verse where Jesus said: "Would that you, EVEN YOU, had known the things that make for peace!" Do I know in my life this day what makes for peace in my heart? Do I have His Peace in the midst of all that life has thrown my way?
I never thought about how much courage it took to ride into Jerusalem in peace. He had legions of angels at his disposal, every power to take back his position in heaven, but he chose to die for us. Even in the Garden when he sweat drops of blood, it doesn't say he feared what was ahead. He dreaded it and wanted "the cup to pass" but purposefully submitted to the Father's Will.
ReplyDeleteWhen I pray "Thy will be done" I often experience a little fear with the words off my tongue. I know it might not work out the way I think it should but I trust it is a better plan.
Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, over us, not knowing the path of peace. I wonder how often He still cries over our belligerent ways that make love cold, peace a distant dream. His peace, His love is there, and He longs for us to reach to Him and take hold for Life.
Thank you Bev and Annette for your post and comments.
ReplyDeleteMy one big take away from today's reading is I don't even begin to understand the courage and love for mankind of Jesus as he road into Jerusalem.
I praise God that as in
James 5:11b The LORD is full of compassion and mercy.
This is a Song I must Sing. Sylvia
I am so thankful for his peace. He can tame the wildest heart and set the captive free. He turns bitter lips into singing lips and no plan on earth can change a soul defeated. Only Jesus. Only Messiah.
ReplyDeleteHi Guys!
ReplyDeleteI don't want to be Debbie Downer, but I sure could use His Peace in my heart about some things. Do I thrive on chaos? I sure hope not!
Anyway, I wasn't going to post, but wanted to pop on to say hello!
xoxo
Thanks Ang---we're always lifting you up and each other. I cried in the first five minutes of my workday today----had to run to the bathroom. It's not about being down, it's life and it's hard at times.
ReplyDeletePlease pray for my daughter Blair. She & her husband Patrick lost everything in their home last night in the severe weather. A sewer line failed and backed up into their home as 6-inches of rain fell. They lost all their furniture, computers, plus they have nowhere to live. She is Director of Homeless in the city so she's in a good place---smile! They are brand new newlyweds and this will be a hard hit for them. They had no insurance. Yikes. I haven't been able to get through to her yet. Pray for God to intervene in ways we cannot even imagine.
Ang, this is a short video of a song by Brooke Fraser. I hope it brings peace...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1BwfQURWJ8
I am so sorry about Blair and Patrick's loss. God will bring good out of this. Praying for them as they face this hardship.
ReplyDeleteWe are expecting storms in the early part of the morning tomorrow. I've been outside enjoying the strong wind gusts. I love to feel it blow my hair straight back. Feels like God's Spirit to me.
Sorry to hear of Patrick and Blair's home. Today I also heard of a friend's sister who is dying of a cerebral hemmorage. Life is so precious. Yesterday I got a taste of that, I choked on food at home all alone. I honestly could not breathe, I tried to dislodge the food, and finally was able to get air, however, today I have an extremely sore throat and my left eye has broken blood vessels as well as broken blood vessels on my face. I probably was only a minute from losing consciousness. I kept thinking, "I can't die, what would my daughter do when she got home from school? I can't let her find me this way."
ReplyDeleteI look at this experience as yet another lesson on how my Father is so gracious, He gives and He takes away. He knows sometimes we need a reality check to forget about the little petty things that annoy or upset us and focus on the reality of eternity. This life is precious, eternity is beyond imagination. No matter how we feel, He feels more. No matter how we love, He loves more. Comforting, exciting and challenging to me to be more available to Him.