Resurrection Sunday - Let's Celebrate Jesus
What does one say during the Easter season? Life in general doesn't revolve around the big events in our lives, it's the every day small things, added together, that makes all of our problems and challenges seem larger than life!
Many people in the United States were killed by the cowardly act of terrorism on Sept. 11, 2001, in New York. Many were physically injured some much more than others. Many folks lost loved ones and will continue to grieve for some, but, most of us, according to reports, are somewhat back to "normal".
So, what is the message for any Easter season? A week before Easter is Palm Sunday, the day Jesus returned to Jerusalem. The Bible tells us about Palm Sunday in John 12:12-15 "...... they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' The King of Israel!" Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: "Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming".
Now, read Zechariah 9:9-10 where this Palm Sunday event was prophesied; "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey."
Zechariah is the prophet who wrote about the coming LORD, hundreds of years before Jesus' time. Notice that Jesus came into the city being hailed as "King of Israel" yet riding on a "new born donkey. This entrance presented anything but a King in "power". A King always rode a magnificent horse especially when passing a crowd. When Jesus entered Jerusalem for what would be His last trip prior to His death and Resurrection, He did not tell people how to overthrow the Romans nor did He preach about a better economy.
The story begins with a couple of Greeks asking Phillip and Andrew; John 12:22 "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Now, here is the important part, Jesus lovingly told the Greeks, and all who could hear, His message. Jesus told them what was and is important. The time is less than 24 hours till the death of our Savior. Jesus answered them, saying in John 12:23-28, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.........Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour."
There it is "FOLLOW ME". That is what it is all about. You can't follow Jesus by reading the New York Times, Money Magazine or the Popular Mechanics. We must read His book, "The Bible" to determine what it is He wants you and me to do.
Our inner self must die, the inner human lustful, prideful spirit must give way and die. Then Jesus will be able to fill us with the Fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Come, let's Follow Jesus!
