UPON JESUS’ entry into Jerusalem He sat upon the hill and looked over the countryside. He knew what was ahead not only for Himself but for Jerusalem; the followers of the way and for the Christians of today. He said if I could just gather them all under my wings like a mother hen does for her chicks. He shed tears of heartache for what was to come for them and being filled with the impending, terrible death that He was to endure for us; He set his mind resolutely and came down from the hill.
WHAT KIND of love would lead a man to die like that? What kind of man would suffer excruciating torture for sinners and even the ungrateful sinners? What kind of Father would let His son be brutalized and degraded like that? Have you ever thought about these things; have you ever wondered why?
THROUGHOUT the Old Testament we are taught that a perfect Lamb must be brought to the alter to restore man’s place with God. Obviously, man’s rebellion against God was so serious that eventually, more would be required. Only the perfect obedience of a perfect man could restore the breach between them. Such a one was Jesus! God knew this plan would have to be brought into play; God knew that His love was to come down to man, if man was to come up to Him. God was to give the ultimate sacrifice if man were to ever cross the bridge into eternity with Him.
“BUT WE preach Christ crucified which is a stumbling block to the Jews and was declared foolishness by the Gentiles.” 1 Corinthians 1:23 In those days, the Christ crucified became a stumbling block not only to the Jews but the Gentiles. Today it is a stumbling block and it is often explained away as ridiculous. “Take care that this liberty of yours, does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9
“FOR FREEDOM Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 Christian liberty is a consequence of salvation by grace. Our liberty is freedom from the law, from the curse of the law, from the fear of death, from sin, from the Old Testament ordinances. But our liberty must never become a license to sin.
A CRUCIFIED GOD can only be perceived by faith and love. Reason can be explained, but love believes. Reason can persuade, but love convinces. “For love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 That love which emptied itself out on the cross, is being offered to us at this moment. We say His love was emptied out but it never can be completely emptied for He replenishes His love for us just like the blood keeps flowing. His love cries down through the ages saying, “This is my beloved son, listen to Him. This is my beloved son, follow Him. This is my beloved son, love Him. This is my beloved son, imitate him.” The faithful Christian finds his qreatest liberty when he is in bondage to Jesus!
WE CALL today, Palm Sunday! The day Christ rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, to face His ultimate day of reckoning and human sacrifice. We weep because it happened and we were the blame, but I celebrate His love for me and praise His name. I am looking forward to Easter Sunday when we can all stand together and sing once again; He Arose; He Arose; Hallelujah Christ Arose!” Every Sunday is resurrection Sunday but Easter is the day we set aside to remember in grandeur, our Lord and Savior in all His majesty! We are free when we are fully committed to Jesus Christ! We have the power!. The empty tomb is proof of that! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 4/15/11 (partially Adapted from Connie Hopper/April 2002 Singing News (The printed voice of Southern Gospel Music)
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