Day 4-Two Kinds of Friends
Passover to Resurrection Devotional
“Behold, your king comes to you, triumphant and victorious. He is humble and riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zech 9:9)
It was unusual for Jesus to make or even want a lot of fanfare around Him. But on this day, He is anticipating the crowds and the fulfilling of the scriptures from Zechariah.
Is He anticipating this Passover 2020/5780? The appointed time is coming when once again all eyes will be on the Lamb but this time the focus will be on the Lamb through His body, the church. The manifestation of His glory to execute His Word will be through us. Stay united! Stay loving! Stay focused on what you are called to do today. It may look different from another person.
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” the crowds shouted as He entered Jerusalem laying palm branches down before Him. The palm branches were their acknowledgment of His Kingship, and their shouts declared He was the prophesied Messiah. Aside from the disgruntled and jealous religious leaders, the streets were filled with His supporters and His FRIENDS.
I think this is happening right now. Most of us are shouting together, praising Him together, and acknowledging His rule. But! There are some, especially within the religious circles, who want the shouting to cease. Creative and seemingly wise ways are being woven to keep that from happening. But! We are more than equally creative. We will not be silenced less the rocks cry out. There is still a crescendo of praise arising.
Luk 19:39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."
Luk 19:40 But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."
Everyone was ecstatic! He was going to declare a showdown as the sun was setting on the end of days. He is going to make known His Kingship, His right to the throne, His rule and authority over all things. The problem was they had a preconceived idea as to how He is going to accomplish this.
The people shouted with excitement. “This is it! We are finally going to get rid of these unjust political rulers. We’re taking over. Establish the Kingdom! Yeah, Yeshua! Go get ‘em! We’re with ya! We got your back. Here walk on my coat. No problem. Hosanna!” Then it came apparent that things were not going to go the way they thought it should go. Their mood changed. He let the authorities take Him!
What about us? When we think things are going wrong, where is our faith? When mercy looks different than what we thought, we will still trust?
These same folks who had just shouted “Hosanna!” were going to be among the same ones who shouted, “Crucify Him!” Chilling. But a warning for us today.
Let us not ever think He has forgotten or abandoned us if things get a little tougher. If things should not go the way we think they should, even over the next few months, never stop shouting “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Let’s not be that kind of friend. He knows what He is doing!
The disciple’s (His friends) had a major flaw in their interpretation of what Jesus the “reformer” was planning. He was not coming to take over the unjust, liberal government and unveil all their conspiracies. No, He was looking for sons and daughters who would receive His love and trust in the Lamb. Sons and daughters who would take Him in their hearts and follow Him even unto death—then the Kingdom, the power, and the glory will be displayed as the east is from the west. No man will be without knowledge. The latter glory shall be greater than the former glory.
There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Are we going to be faithful? He calls us His friends. Jesus leaves Jerusalem for the night to be with His best friends in Bethany—Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Be that kind of friend.
Pro 18:24 Mess. Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.
Next: Have you brought the Lamb (your BFF) into your home? Ex. 12:3-6