This morning in our church, like in many of yours, the childen participated in worship by waving palm branches as we sang “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”. Echoing the praise of the people when Jesus humbly rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey proclaiming,
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
But as you are probably familiar, in a matter of days the tide turned and the same people who hailed His name now rejected Him as their Messiah. They lost faith that He was really who He said He was.
How quickly they turned from “Lord, Lord”. Just as the Israelites before them so quickly forgot the Lord’s faithfulness in bringing them out of Egypt. And just as we, too, forget and fail to see who He is for us.
We jump on the Jesus band-wagon for Easter or Christmas, for church or para-church events, camps and retreats or when we are around certain people. We praise His names with our lips, “Lord, Lord” but our hearts are far from Him.
- Why is this? Why do we proclaim Him to be the King, but don’t live devoted to Him?
- Why do we call Him Redeemer, but turn to everything else to give us life?
- Why do we come to Him when we need His help, but reject Him when all is well? Or, maybe praise Him for the good things and denounce Him when suffering comes?
- Why do say we need Jesus, but live as if it is our own righteousness that merits a good standing?
There is a disconnect between what we say to be true and how we really live and think. A disconnect that occurs when Jesus alone is not proclaimed. When we don’t see clearly who He is and what He did for us. Yes, He died on the cross for our sins. But just as important is He lived the perfect life on our behalf.
Therefore, I must boast in His righteousness for me, not my own. I can be free to admit my sin and know my standing before Him never changes. I don’t have to pretend I have it all together. I can admit my need.
But if we don’t see He is everything we are not than we miss the point of the gospel. We focus on what we need to do to be better instead of finding freedom in His grace and who He is for me. We think of Christianity as rules and behavior, instead of a Person.
If this is the case, why would we stand awestruck in glory, laud and honor?
So take this Easter week to ponder who He is and what He did for you.
“And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take aways my sin.”
Scarcely take it in… Is that how we feel?
If not, seek out a church that preaches Jesus + Nothing so that you are in awe of Him. Only with eyes taken off yourself and on to Him will you continually cry “How great Thou art!” and see your need not just this week, but every hour, every day.
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
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