Palm Sunday

“‭And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:”

(Mark 11:9, AV)

How does Jesus go from being called Messiah to the crowd asking to crucify Him, in less than one week? Could the cleansing of the temple have been the last straw? Insult us all you want, Jesus, but don't touch the $? John records that the raising up of Lazurus was also a factor in the Sandestin deciding to plot to arrest Him. O, and then Judas shows up unexpectedly, offering to sell Jesus out. So it was probably a convergence of many things that led to the cross.

Such is the story on a human level. Behind the scenes, the rulers of this age were being duped. For the cross, far from being their victory, was instead their defeat. All glory to God!

Saints, we may be privileged to walk a similar path. Our enemy intends us harm, and it may seem God is not there to deliver us. Let us learn, then, from our Lord, who for "The joy set before Him, endured the Cross, despising its shame". In Gods economy, victory is often found in apparent defeat!

What would we have Jesus do for us?

 "And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came unto Him, saying, 'Master, we would that thou should do for us whatsoever we shall desire'. And He said unto them, 'What would ye that I should do for you'?" Mark 10:35-36

Well, that's quite a question, isn't it? Of course, Jesus has just told them exactly what path lies ahead of them: Betrayal, deliverance to the chief priests, condemnation unto death. However, these brothers seem not to have heard one word of what Jesus just said. Instead of the cross, they are asking for honor and privilege. Amazing. Even they, after the cross and resurrection were behind them, must of knocked themselves on the head and said, "How could we have missed it?". 

I wonder, though, if we were honest, just how we ourselves would answer that question. What do we REALLY want Jesus to do for us? Forget some idea of a jeannie arising out of a bottle, here is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords asking, "What do you want me to do for you?". Knowing that He has the authority to grant us our request, just what would we ask for? King Solomon was actually given such an interview. His request was for wisdom, as he knew he was not able to rule without it. The brothers, perhaps, were quite zealous. Like Thomas, their intent may have truly been to "come and die with Him". So Jesus asks them, "can you drink the cup I must drink?". Their mistake may have been that they simply thought they had the resources in themselves to do just that. They didn't. Neither did Peter, would would later deny that he even knew Him. Nor, saints, do we. 

We are not called to drink His cup. Praise God for that! This was a cross that we deserved, but could never have borne on our own. So Jesus drank the cup of God's wrath for us. Yet, saints, there surely IS a cup for each and every one of us. It is a cup of suffering, of being misunderstood, rejected and mocked. It is our cross, that which we should suppose we have the resources to drink, but, in fact, we don't  have even the slightest clue. 

Paul asked three times that his cross, his "thorn in the flesh", be removed from him. Three times the answer was, "My Grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:13). Later, he was able to answer the question in his epistle to the Phillippian Church, "May I win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness . . . that is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by Faith". (Ph 3:15-16). 

This is all we can do. That which Jesus could do for us, He has already done. It is finished. The cross we walk in today is preparing us for a glory beyond comparison (Romans 8). We only ask to be continually filled with Him, the one who has overcome the world and who lives victoriously in us. Amen. 

Why do bad things happen?

 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luke 13:2-5

Does everything that happens only come to pass if God so wills it? If so, then, how can we understand what seems to us such injustices? This meme has been hotly debated over history.  What does Jesus offer as a response? 

In their minds, bad things happen to bad people.  That idea has been around since the time of Job. No, says Jesus, it's not that simple. If you want the truth, everyone is on the path that leads to destruction.  If you want to live, you must change your thinking, repent,and get on the way that leads to life.

We cry out for justice. We don't have a clue, though, that it is only of God's mercies that we are not all destroyed,  per Hosea. When we've seen this by revelation,  though, we can begin to move forward,  never accepting the accusation that God is somehow unjust. Rather, we can thank Him for His mercies, which endure forever. 

The well is deep, but Jesus is deeper still

 "The woman saith not him, 'Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: From whence then hast thou that living water'"? John 4:11

There are two people in this story. They both have a mission at the well. For the Samaritan woman, her mission is obtaining water. Because of her lifestyle, perhaps she is ashamed to come to the well in the evening, when the other women of town would come to draw, and, well, catch up with the news of the day. If one divorce was considered shameful, how about five divorces and the man she is living with now is not her husband? So though it is extremely hot, she prefers the heat to the cold stares she is used to in town. 

But as she is coming to draw, a Jewish man approaches her, and asks for a drink of water. Of course, this was unheard of. The Jews simply wouldn't ask a Samaritan for even the smallest thing. But this Jew has another mission, one that she simply could not imagine. He was there to offer her a different kind of water. She did not get it. Her whole paradigm for that day was fulfillment of her household's need for water. Get in, get out. No time to chat. Then crawl back into the hole she'd dug for herself. 

Jesus' invitation to her calls beyond her immediate physical need. Of course, this is incomprehensible to her. She doesn't get it. My need, sir, is for some of the water in this well. This well is deep, and you have nothing to draw water with. Just how are you going to help me?

Saints, I think we've all been there. We all have needs that drive us to pursue the things of this world. If we encounter Jesus at the well of our need, do we expect to be filled? Do we believe that Jesus has the kind of water that will function? Maybe we've lost our jobs, and have no visible means of support. Or perhaps a loved one has died. We may nearly be dead with thirst, but what is this man offering? Living water is nice, but hey, Jesus, I haven't had anything to drink in days. Are you mocking me? If I don't get water, I die. Any talk about your living water must wait till my thirst is quenched. 

But the Samaritan woman, once she gets over the shock of being exposed, realizes that the water Jesus drew for her was permanently quenching her shame. She knew that she had encountered Messiah, and she runs into town to tell them about a man who told her everything she'd done, yet nevertheless loved her, and set her free from a life of sin and shame. She had taken the living water, and was forever free. Will we choose the same?

"Ho, everyone that thirtieth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath money, come ye, but and eat. Yea, some, buy wine and milk without money and milk without price! Why are you spending your money on what is not bread, and you labor, for that which does not satisfy. Listen to me carefully - eat that which is good" Is 55:1-2