Over the last couple of weeks, I have tried to use the time to evaluate my heart before God – asking Him to deepen my understanding of His love and convict me of areas not aligning with Him.
How have you been using your time? What has God been speaking to you? Let me know by replying to this email.
The more time I have spent with God, the more He has been speaking to me about the Body of Christ entering Her greatest hour – all for the purpose of glorifying Jesus.
Jesus often gets overlooked for manifestations, prophetic words, and religious rituals. As we enter Holy Week let’s fix our eyes on Jesus!
Jesus the Prophet
When He came near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, saying, “Go over into the village opposite you, where, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’”
Luke 19:29-31
Throughout scripture you see Jesus as the Prophet foretelling what is to come. Jesus not only sent His disciples to pickup the colt, He also knew someone would question them and told them what to say before they left.
Jesus knows your story and the circumstances you face today. He is inviting you to seek Him for the direction you need because every answer can be found in Him.
Jesus the Prince of Peace
They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their garments on them, and He sat on them. A very large crowd spread their garments on the road. Others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went before Him and that followed Him cried out:
Matthew 21:7-9
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”
The disciples brought Jesus the donkey and placed their cloaks and prayer shawls on it for Him to ride.
Jesus didn’t need to display imperial power by riding a horse, an animal often used in war. A donkey is an animal of peace, Jesus showed that He alone establishes everlasting peace.
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He was displaying the character of the kingdom of God – revealing a kingdom not built on human strength but supernatural wonder.
Your peace isn’t dependent on the systems of this world but founded on Christ alone.
Jesus the Admired
When He entered Jerusalem, the entire city was moved, saying, “Who is He?” The crowds said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Matthew 21:10-11
The crowds in Jerusalem are looking for someone to rally around, a revolutionary hero to stand against the corrupt political and religious leaders of the day.
Jesus is a man of the people – eating with the outcasts and talking with prostitutes. Rumors have reached everyone that He could heal people, feed people, and that when He prayed evil spirits fled.
As Jesus rides into Jerusalem, He is followed by crowds of admirers.
Admirers marvel at words or deeds and filter their admiration through the person they admire being the answer to their problems.
Most people will follow Jesus with admiration to a point – that point is the cross.
The people shouting with joy as Jesus entered Jerusalem are the same ones shouting “Crucify Him!” days later.
Jesus never sought admirer, but disciples. Disciples do not just admire Jesus; they want to learn from Him and become like Him – no matter the cost.
Jesus the Servant
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands and that He came from God and was going to God, rose from supper, laid aside His garments, and took a towel and wrapped Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was wrapped.
John 13:3-5
Amid the disciples arguing over who is the greatest, Jesus starts washing Peter’s feet. Jesus was displaying His humility and servanthood – a direct contrast to the heart attitude of the disciples.
Even when the storms of life are raging around you, you have the privilege of following Jesus’s example of a sacrificial servant.
Jesus the Sacrifice
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour, while the sun was darkened. And the veil of the temple was torn in the middle. And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He gave up the spirit.
Luke 23:44-46
Jesus endured the shame of false accusations, condemnation, mockery, beatings, and abandonment. After multiple unlawful trials, He was sentenced to death by crucifixion – a horrible and disgraceful method of killing.
Before Jesus was led away, He was spit on by soldiers, tormented, mocked, and a crown of thorns was placed on His head.
Despite being the Son of God, Jesus willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice for our sins.
One of my favorite quotes by Jackie Pullinger is a great reminder we get to give our all for the Gospel.“The principle of the Gospel is this – the Gospel always brings life to the receiver and death to the giver. If the Gospel brought death to Jesus Christ, why would we think in preaching the Gospel it would be any less for us.”
Jesus the Victorious
Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, though I was dead. Look! I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Revelation 1:17b-18
Jesus is risen! Christ is victorious!
The cross is the sign of Jesus’s victory over sin and its consequence of death. Salvation was achieved by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross – who beat back death. No tomb could contain God Almighty.
Death could not shackle God who entered into darkness only to break its chains.
Because Jesus lives – we too will live eternally with Him.
Celebrate the victory of Jesus over death, hell and the grave!