Mark 15:16-32
In Chapter 11, Mark tells the story of Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem for Passover. This was a time of celebration and gatherings, but Jesus did not come to enjoy the festivities, or even the adoration. He came to fulfill his destiny.
And in just 4-1/2 chapters, the crowds of adoration that laid their cloaks and tree branches on the ground and shouted “Hosanna in the highest” was replaced by a crowd disappointed with the one who failed to lead them by overthrowing the powers that be and restoring their lives to the glory days of King David.
In Chapter 11, Mark tells the story of Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem for Passover. This was a time of celebration and gatherings, but Jesus did not come to enjoy the festivities, or even the adoration. He came to fulfill his destiny.
And in just 4-1/2 chapters, the crowds of adoration that laid their cloaks and tree branches on the ground and shouted “Hosanna in the highest” was replaced by a crowd disappointed with the one who failed to lead them by overthrowing the powers that be and restoring their lives to the glory days of King David.
Jesus knew people, understood them better than they knew themselves. He knew He could count on them to join in the seething throngs. The crowd energy that drew them to the streets to celebrate Him morphed into mob mentality to mock and curse Him on the way to the cross.
As citizens of the world and children of God, we will experience praiseworthy celebrations in our lives. But when the difficult times come, as they surely will, then will we still praise God? We can choose to celebrate the constant love and goodness in our lives that is God. Or will we wallow in disillusion and despair that life has not gone as we expected? Which will you choose?
PRAYER: God of love and goodness, give me the strength to continue to praise You when times are tough. Help me to stand out in the crowd of the faithless and stand up for You. AMEN
As citizens of the world and children of God, we will experience praiseworthy celebrations in our lives. But when the difficult times come, as they surely will, then will we still praise God? We can choose to celebrate the constant love and goodness in our lives that is God. Or will we wallow in disillusion and despair that life has not gone as we expected? Which will you choose?
PRAYER: God of love and goodness, give me the strength to continue to praise You when times are tough. Help me to stand out in the crowd of the faithless and stand up for You. AMEN
by Ann Miller
