Passion Week..A Grand Entrance

My heart has been drawn and torn this week as we approach Easter Sunday. As a very young child and now (well) into my adult years; I have been blessed to have the Easter story shared with me. These are all things I've known, heard, read about and believed in my heart for years. Jesus entered this last week of His life, suffered and was crucified for me. As I started my Bible Study this evening, an oldie but faithful song came on, 'Nothing but the Blood of Jesus'.

What can wash away my sin

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole again

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Oh, how I have sung these words for years; standing on the third row of the choir as just a little, blonde haired girl singing to the top of my lungs, and not understanding the true meaning; but sadly to this day, I don't always imagine just exactly what Jesus had to go through for me. But this evening, I found myself wrapped up in His presence with tear-filled eyes as I was able to just bask in His Presence and dig a little deeper; deep within my soul to understand those words and actions He took...all for me and you.

The time has come, Jesus goes to Jerusalem as King, yet His entrance isn't as grand as one may think.

"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus[a] sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it." Mark 11: 1-7 ESV

Most Kings or powerful leaders come into town with top security, roads blocked off, escort service with sirens and people anticipating their arrival. We sometimes think, bigger is better; but not Jesus. He came into town riding a donkey; note one that had never been ridden before and with His disciples beside Him. As the disciples took the donkey and they go strolling into town, they had no clue what was about to take place in the coming days.

As Jesus enters the city, the masses of people are shouting, some call Him the Messiah, palm branches are waved and coats thrown on the ground. You know, I was there that day. No, not physically, but those people represent me, my life, my heart, my sin. He knew me and looked into my soul that day as He strolled through the city to the Temple. I believe he looked at them, those same ones calling Him Messiah and King and praising His name; He looked them in the eyes knowing they (me and you) would be the same ones in a few days yelling, "Crucify Him".

Unfortunately, many times I am like the Jews were that day, just going about normal business and preparing for the next event. I'm singing His praises, seeking my Savior in every way; yet at times I veer away and take my eyes off the one true Lamb. I forget what He sacrificed for me.

The blood of the Lamb shed for you and me. He will never stop loving me or the ones who refuse to love Him, and that's why He wept. He was the one that came to rescue us from the oppression of our sins, even though He knows many will choose to walk away.

Our prayer this week is you will allow your heart to be drawn to the details of this story. Take a deeper look as He entered the city and why He was so upset in the Temple. Settle your heart in, maybe with a good song that stirs you and allow your heart and mind to be placed on those streets watching Jesus enter the city on a donkey, looking Him in the eyes and knowing that YOU are the reason He died.

If our hearts are stirred to continue on deeper in the story of our Passion week, we will see you soon. If not, we pray that you take time to dig deep into His word with your family this week and talk about the events that took place; His entrance into the city, the last supper, His time in the garden and ultimately the Crucifixion.

Are you ready to walk with Him? We are right here with you. Remember that everything that took place happened because of you. Place yourself in the story, because you were there and we pray you see yourself there and meet Him there in a way you never have before.

I'm thankful for a bible study I took part in, Matchless and I will leave this quote with you:

"The truth is, knowing about Jesus means nothing if you don't know Jesus."

We pray you know Him and have set aside time throughout your day to be with Him, talk with Him and listen to Him.

When life sends you spinning, pick your focal point!

Prayers from our family to yours,

~The Lord family