Hi how was you week? We are coming to the time in the Christian calendar when we remember and celebrate what Jesus did for us on the cross: more commonly known as Easter. But have you ever thought about the events leading up to that, especially those in the last week. Let’s take a look at them and see what impact they can have on our lives.
The first event is the triumphal entry. We read the story in Luke 19: 28 to 40. Jesus came near to the mount of Olivet and as He came near, He asked for a donkey. Once the disciples got the donkey, they put clothes on the donkey and set Jesus on it. They then led Him down the decent of the Mount of Olives. The people were rejoicing and putting clothes and palm branches down and calling Jesus their King.
If this happened to us, we would be rejoicing too and would maybe be a little prideful but not Jesus. He knew what was up ahead and was just in the moment. This was His moment of triumph of a life well lived in obedience to His Father.
Sometimes, when we are on that mountain and all seems to be going well, we want to bask in the triumph. But I am here to remind you that we need to enjoy those moments and then do what Jesus did and continue obeying God. Why? Because opposition will come. Jesus found that out a few hours later when He went into the temple and drove out those who bought and sold in it.
The rest of that week was spent teaching in the temple, being confronted by the religious leaders and spending the nights on the mountain of Olivet. Jesus was in Jerusalem that whole week. But there came a day when everything changed.
In Luke 22: 47 to 53, Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested. This was the start of an intense trial. But to me, one of the saddest parts and a tragedy of all of this is found in chapter 23:18. The people wanted Jesus killed. My question is were these the same people who had celebrated Him just a few days before and called Him their King? What happened to change their mind? Was it peer pressure or something a bit more deep rooted? I am not sure but one thing I know they changed their minds about Jesus.
It is a good story for us in more ways than one. When we are on the mountain and people are celebrating with us, are those same people going to turn on us too? Our celebration should be in God. We need to get our worth and value from God, because as this story shows, peoples opinions of us can turn easily.
Another lesson is that when all is going right in our lives, do we celebrate Jesus and when things are not going right, do we turn from Jesus. We need to be careful in our own lives that we keep our great relationship with Jesus, no matter what is happening in our lives.
This Easter remember what Jesus did for you but also remember what Jesus taught us in the week before. This week keep a great relationship with Jesus, no matter what is happening. You can do it. Bless you heaps and have an amazing week
Karen
Living the life God intended 