Good Time Gang
33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 They said, "The Lord needs it." 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" (Luke 19:33-38)
In the 19th chapter of he book of Luke we find a recording of Jesus' "triumphal" entry into Jerusalem. Jesus approached Jerusalem like a king, riding on a young donkey. Most of his followers were so overjoyed at this sight that they began to hail him as king. However, some of those who followed Jesus were Pharisees who were afraid of being tied publicly to Jesus, and they asked him to quiet the praises - he refused. Surrounded by the sheer joy and expectation of those who could not imagine what was to come, Jesus wept. The days ahead would bring a cleansing of the temple - removing those who sought gain off of a desperate people - followed by requests for proof of Jesus' authority, and continued teachings and calm pushbacks from Jesus, eventually culminating in his arrest and crucifixion. The shouts of joy would turn to jeers, the expectation to
doubt, unbelief, and turning away.
We are these same fickle followers. Our mouths are filled with high praise when things seem to go our way, but when we are visited by disappointment, pain, and grief we fall silent at best, or curse God at our weakest. Jesus weeps still - with us and for us. We fail to remember that the same God creates predator and prey. Life depends on death, gain and loss pursue one another continuously. Our dashed expectations are not evidence of God's failure, just proof of our lack of control and our limited understanding. We are never abandoned, we must simply trust the One who holds the balance of life in hands bigger than we can comprehend. May we outgrow fair-weather faithfulness, and learn to praise God in all circumstances.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success! 26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. 27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. 29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 118:24-29)
Imagine Jesus singing these words.
Commentaires