Deity on a Donkey

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph Daughter Jerusalem! See, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). Jesus fulfilled this prophesy when He entered Jerusalem the week we remember as Holy Week, an event recorded in all four gospels (Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19 and Joh 12).

Triumphal Entry
Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. His followers spread their robes and palm branches along His path and they praised Him saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven." The Pharisees told Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples," to which He replied, "I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out," prophesied in Habakkuk 2:11.

Tearful Entry
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, He wept. "If you knew this day what would bring peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days will come on you when your enemies will build an embankment against you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation" (Luke 19:41-44).

Tragic Entry
Jesus was at His friends' house in Bethany. Mary took a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume, and poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. The fragrance filled the room and one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, objected. He thought the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. He didn't say that because he cared about the poor, but because he was the treasurer of the twelve and a thief. He often helped himself to the money bag. Jesus said, "Leave her alone. It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial" (John 12:7). How did Mary know about Jesus coming suffering and death? Maybe because she was at His feet, listening to Him (more than once).

Jesus fulfilled the purpose of our salvation during the climax of the first Holy Week. He will come again, but it won't be on a donkey. He will ride a white horse (Revelation 19:11). Will you be ready? Believe in the Lord Jesus and accept His merciful act on the cross for yourself. He did it for you because He loves you and wants you to live in love and peace and joy. He wants you to be with Him for eternity. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. We will know Him as our Savior or as our Judge. The choice is ours. I hope you accept Jesus' love and choose to live for Him.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the mercy and compassion you have shown. Be with the reader of this blog. Draw him/her close to you that he/she will experience your love. Amen.

God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life-The Myth--A Review

Are you in ministry for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Did you raise your children in the church and see them reject it in their adulthood? We hear of worldwide revival but only a small percentage of people who go forward to invite Jesus into their lives grow into productive, fruitful Christians. Why?

God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life--The Myth of the Modern Message by Ray Comfort points to the answer. As Christians we want our family and friends to experience God's amazing love as we have. We live our lives before them, loving them and praying for them day after day and year after year. Could it be our message? The message about God's wonderful plan for their lives, that God loves them and wants to be their Friend? This isn't how Jesus ministered. It is not how Paul or the apostles ministered either. They preached the law. They confronted people with their sin. True repentance comes when we are faced with the reality of our sin and God's amazing grace.

God can deal with a broken and contrite heart. That is how He dealt with King David, a man after His own heart. David committed crimes against every one of the Ten Commandments when He saw Bathsheba. He lusted, stole, murdered, coveted, committed adultery, and dishonored his parents. Above all, David set himself up as his own god, so God was not his only God anymore. He didn't love Him with all his heart, mind, soul and strength. Thankfully, God sent Nathan to rebuke David and he fell on his knees and cried out to God, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight . . ." (Psalm 51:4)

This is how God dealt with me too. Without the law, I would not have known how much I offended God. Yet, when I cried out to Him, in His mercy He was there with me. It was as if He wrapped His loving arms around me, kissed me and said, "I love you. I am with you." I don't know how He could touch me and let all my mess get on Him, but He did. He knew two thousand years before I was born that I would need His grace. He took my mess to the cross that day on Calvary. He died and rose again so I could live with Him forever.

This is the salvation message that our world is desperate to hear and experience.  I encourage you to read God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life-The Myth. We can be real salt and light in our dark world. Find out how.

Lord Jesus, I pray for all the people I've taught about your love. In spite of me, Lord, may they find your amazing grace and love. Forgive me for the times I missed the mark and help me to serve you better by helping people find true repentance. And I pray for all your servants who read this post, that they will know and teach the truth of the gospel and on that day--we will all hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." We love you. Amen.