Today is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week; the central week in all of history. This is the week that Christians "live" for. Our redemption and justification was bought through the crucifixion that will take place on Friday. Today, however, Jesus rides into Jerusalem as the triumphant King on a donkey's colt. We learned in church this morning that the donkey's colt is a symbol of peace and if a king were to come into town riding on a colt, he was bringing peace. That's exactly what Jesus is doing here. He is riding into Jerusalem on a donkey's colt, knowing that this week He will give his life so that peace can be restored between God and fallen mankind. And He will be forever praised for what He is going to do.
That being said, I was thinking on Jesus in my quiet time this week and this mental picture of heaven came to me and I just wanted to share it with you. In my "mental picture" heaven was simply being at the feet of Jesus'. We were all seated at His feet as He taught and shared eternity with us. There was no temptation, no sorrow, only exceeding joy at being at the feet of the Savior and knowing that you would be there for all eternity. That was such a beautiful picture to me. Just to be sitting at the feet of Jesus for all eternity. Able to serve Him without any hinderances or temptations to do other wise. No improper or impure thoughts bombarding our minds. No ill will or feelings toward others. Only peace and love that comes from being in the presence of the God of all creation and knowing that you will NEVER be separated from Him again, EVER. I don't know about you, but I can't wait for that moment! Heaven to me is to be sitting at the feet of My Lord, gazing on His face, enjoying His presence, and hanging on His every word and knowing that that moment will never end. I think that's what awaits us as believers.
As we enter Holy Week, I want to encourage everyone to think about what this week means. The King of all creation stepped off of His throne and entered into a world that hated Him. He came to die for a bunch of rebels that would rather see Him nailed to a tree than to submit to His will. Romans 5:8 says that God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, rebellious and treasonous, He sent His perfect, innocent Son to die for us. That is true love. 1 John 4:10 says it best when it says, "This is love: not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. If you haven't trusted in that I want to encourage you today to think about what Christ has done. We have all sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard. Just look at the 10 commandements. If you've broken any of them, even one, you're guilty and deserve death and eternal punishment for offending God. That means me, you, and everyone else. And the worst part is, there is NOTHING you can do about it! You can't work your way out. You can't wiggle your way out. We are guilty, end of story. But that's where the love of God steps in. He made a way when there was no way. We offended Him and when He had every right to leave us to die, He instead chose to have mercy and pity on us and send His beloved Son to take the punishment we so rightly deserved. And He promises that anyone who believes in Him will no longer stand under the penalty of death required by the law, but will receive mercy and forgiveness (John 3:16). I urge you to do that today! Become part of God's story this Easter. Take Peter's advice in Acts 3:19, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord".
If you submit your life to the Lord, there is no promise that everything will be roses and sunshine. In fact, we will all likely face rejection and persecution from the world as we seek to live a godly life (2 Timothy 3:12, Matthew 5:11, etc.). But, the Lord does promise to be with you and to work out all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Submit to Him today and no matter what happens, look forward to the day that you will sit at His feet in His kingdom and enjoy Him and His presence for all eternity!
Amen, brother. Loved this post. Today I performed with the worship team at my new church for the first time, and whereas I was absolutely shaking nervous at the first full group practice several weeks ago, I wasn't nervous at all today. Through the 7 am practice and two services, I was just filled to the brim with joy and excitement, and it was a sweet reminder for me that just as he offered the people of Jerusalem peace as he entered on a donkey, he offered me peace today. And just as Ephesians 3:20 says, he went above and beyond what I could've asked for - I prayed he'd just help me keep my nerves in check, and instead, he made my nerves disappear.
ReplyDeleteGlory be to God. I can't wait for the day that I can praise Him face to face.