We’re praying hard for Americans and the world, that the virus will be defeated. Many have already become casualties of this latest war, and our prayers go out to their families. Some of those who have died are younger, with yet younger children. All life is precious, but those seem particularly heartbreaking to me. May God bless and comfort them.
But right now, my thoughts are on Palm Sunday, and because I don’t post here on Saturdays, the next time I do, it will be Palm Sunday morning. It sounds funny for me to write here in reference to that very first Palm Sunday, that “God’s plan of the ages is now coming to a close.” when obviously it did not. It’s been some two thousand years, and here we are, waiting for the close of an age. We are drawn to Peter’s words in 2 Peter 3:3-4 (KJV) “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” Then we chip in 2 Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
It was momentous in the history of the world when Jesus came into Jerusalem, doing so according to Daniel 9, offering to the Jews exactly what the Jewish prophets had spoken of, namely the promise made to the fathers. This Jesus was the Messiah coming to reign in the line of their great King David. He was everything Israel needed and wanted, but He was nonetheless resented and unrecognized. Yes, He came as their Lamb, and surely, they wanted their Lion, but it would have all worked out had they staged a coronation rather than a crucifixion. Thankfully, God can make a way out of no way!
Talk about highs and lows! There were the cheering crowds on Sunday at His Triumphal Entry, then the blood thirsty crowds on Wednesday at His kangaroo court trial. This was followed by the death, burial, and resurrection, which is the Gospel. It’s the victory of the empty tomb, amidst the tragedy of the Jews’ rejection and disavowing their Saviour-Messiah.
Jesus still triumphantly presents Himself to each of us, and each of us still must decide what to do with this Man of Galilee, the Baby born in Bethlehem, who truly is God in the flesh! Jesus said “… ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24) On this Sunday morning, Palm Sunday, we will again celebrate that momentous day in history, when God offered Himself to mankind. Jesus is the King, whether you crown Him or otherwise. It’s still your decision. In His very own words He said, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7)
Love and prayers to all
Pastor
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