For the sake making sure that this post is read in its entirety I will be more quick and to the point.
This Sunday people will flock to churches for Easter Sunday worship. Many that enter the doors only do so on holidays like Easter. Why is that? Why is it that they only offer the Lord one day of worship, praise and gratitude? I think I found part of the answer.
In Matt 21 we see Jesus entered Jerusalem in a mighty way. It was in such a way that people stood on the side of the road laying down cloaks and palm branches. They were crying out ""Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!""Hosanna in the highest!" What a greeting right? What a worship!
Jesus then goes into Jerusalem and does some house cleaning. All the while people are watching to see what will happen next. In the crowd you have believers, skeptics and those plotting against him. Those same people that cheered as he entered. In the next few days Jesus teaches about many things and encounters opposition. He does travel back out of Jerusalem but only for a short time. Finally we see the betrayal and last supper take place. This leading to his trail, beating and death.
Just for a moment lets put ourselves at the exact time that Jesus is about to be lead out to the cross. Here stands a man innocent, beaten almost to death, His body is barely recognizable and his strength is almost gone. Then the soldiers start to lead him out. As he is being lead down the streets we don't hear cheers anymore. We see mocking, crying, anger, hatred and insults being thrown at Jesus. Even his own friends have left him. These were the same ones that I am sure were pretty proud during the triumphal entry.
What had changed? What caused these people to do a 180 degree turn? I believe it is because he didn't do what they wanted him to do. They were looking for a Jesus that would enter and reestablish the throne. They were looking for someone to help them physically. The very moment they didn't see what they wanted they turned into a group of angry and hateful people.
Ok here is the application for this Easter:
People will heading toward churches Sunday. They went out bought the dresses, suits, clothes, shoes and flowers. They come in the doors of the church and are ready to be told that they are all OK. That everything is good and that they are too. Some will come for show others to see what your church is doing that could benefit them. Then after the last song is sung and Amen is said they exit the doors. A good percentage of them will not return until the next big holiday. They never truly got what Easter is all about. It is as if they laid down the palm branches to celebrate Jesus and then picked them up on the way out. They will then spend the rest of the year cursing his name and dragging him through the mud. There was no change it was all for show.
The thing is that Jesus knew people would be the way they are even today. He still choose to die on the cross for our sins. Those who accept him and actually have a life transforming experience will never be the same. If that happens we will go out and tell others about him. We will continue to wave those palm branches until he returns.
He cried "tetelestai!" (it is finished) and then breathed his last breath. He was looking to save a lost people. What will you be looking for this Sunday?
3 comments:
I plan to welcome those people that come once or twice a year. If they sit in your pew, let them. We should show them the same love Jesus has shown to us. And, someday, hopefully, they will want to find out more about Jesus's love and will come back more than a couple times a year.
Pat
FYI: I cannot read the black font on the dark green background. I had to highlight it just to see it.
It's interesting that your post seems to go along with the subject of our men's bible study this past week. From Luke 13:6-9. The landowner had come to his fig tree three years in a row, yet no fruit was found each time. He ordered his servant to cut the tree down. But the servant asked his master to allow him to cultivate and fertilize around the tree, and give it one more year to bear fruit. Of course, we see in this parable that Jesus is showing that God is the master, we are the servant, and we are to 'fertilize' His earth by showing the Love of Christ...even, maybe even especially to, those who only come to church on holidays. I believe what Jesus taught in this story is that we are to continue His work, so that all may have the opportunity to reach out to Him. Without favor to eiher those truly seeking His help or to those who are only there to make a show. It will be up the the Master, in the end, to 'cut down' those who are not believers, and not us. Ours is to cultivate and fertilize, pray for the best, and let God handle the rest.
Glenn
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