In the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ there was the first year of popularity, the second year of doubt and questioning and the third year of unceasing opposition. Now we have come to the final week which culminated at Calvary and the resurrection. A number of pictures are drawn for us in our reading today. First there is the preparation for the King's entry. Did the owner of these two animals know Jesus? Had Jesus made previous preparation for their loan? It would seem Christ rode on the colt - described in Mark 11 as one on which no one had ever ridden. This is another indication of the calming influence of Christ, even on animals. The procession can be easily imagined. Up to two million people were in Jerusalem at Passover time. Can you picture the branches broken off the palm trees, the clothes thrown down, the chanting of the huge crowd? Scenes like this would make good TV pictures! Thank God for those who recognised Christ for who He really was and is. But the Pharisees criticized it all. To them it was mass emotionalism. Some people today think it is wrong to be excited about knowing Christ. Those who know Him believe it is the most wonderful experience they could ever have. Luke 19:41 tells us that when Christ came over the crest of the Mount of Olives and saw the city in front of Him, He wept. A very strong word is used, not just tears but the cry of a soul deeply moved. He seems to have wept at least twice as He thought of the lost souls in Jerusalem and of its future destruction. Then, when He arrived at the Temple, He found the house of God filled with animals, pigeons and money changers. He had cleared them out three years ago but they had all come back in again. But notice what happened after the space was cleared - the blind and the lame came into the Temple and He healed them all. Is there anything in our lives which needs to be cleared away so that Christ can work in and through us today? |
沒有留言:
張貼留言