Palm Sunday
April 1, 2012
Inspiration
Life offers a variety of directions from which we may select a chosen course. In the life of Christ we observe an intentional life choice. "He set His face as flint." He counted the prize worth the price. And this Christ calls us to such a mind-set. Things that might otherwise be considered of value are set aside, so that we might be fully identified with Him in both suffering and glory.
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HEARING GOD'S VOICE
Isaiah 50:4-9
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 11:1-10
Psalm 31:9-16
Him.
Jesus wasn't taken by force or surprise. No struggle ensued. Neither was He a helpless victim. Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing full well the cross was His final destination.
Why would He "eternal King" deliberately walk a road that led to death? Scripture provides the reasons. First, it was His Father's will. "It was the LORD'S will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer..(and make) His life a guilt offering" Isa. 53:10. Second, it was Christ's joyous will. Heb. 12:2 proclaims, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross." The Son's will mirrored the Father's
Jesus could have fled on horse back to the hills, instead, our King, with raw determination, headed straight to Jerusalem, the city of death for Him.
He went to Jerusalem for you and me. He willingly subjected Himself to death because we have not subjected ourselves completely to God. Rather than following the route God has laid out in His Word, we have walked, yes even ran away from it. Our priceless King subjected Himself to death in Jerusalem to give us the priceless forgiveness of sins. This Holy Week we will again have the blessed opportunity to witness the full extent of our Savior's love as we follow Him to the cross.
On a hill outside Jerusalem, Jesus conquered. His death defeated death. His sacrifice destroyed sin. His life-giving work routed Satan. We partake of His victory through faith.
Ride on! Ride on in majesty,
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin
Over captive death and conquered sin.
PRAY -Almighty and everlasting God the Father, who sent Your Son to take our nature upon Him and to suffer death on the cross that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility, mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ in His patience and also have our portion in His resurrection; through Jesus Christ, our LORD, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
