THE KING IS COMING: THE PREPARATION

 

THE KING IS COMING: THE PREPARATION

Matt. 21:1-11

Jesus was on this way to Jerusalem and was put on a donkey. They, aloug with many others, laid cloaks and palm branches in front of Him and shouted praises to Him. It is a reminder to us that not all praise is genuinely given, for in just a few days, the crowd at His trial demanded that He be crucified.

There are several things we can note about the King’s preparation. One is that they were heading for Jerusalem. It was the religious center of the Jewish nation. It was where Jesus knew He would be crucified. Jesus purposely went to Jerusalem, knowing exactly what awaited Him. How often are we willing to face adversity head on knowing that things may turn ugly against us?

Jesus was well-prepared for what He was about to face. He had often told the disciples what was going to happen. He lived in close communion with God and never wavered in His God-given mission. How often do we stay the course and do what God has given us to do regardless of what the circumstances may be?

Jesus did not fear those who awaited Him. He knew that the religious elite would be looking for Him and would have Him killed when they found Him. Do you fear what others may say to you or about you? Do you fear what others may do to you because of your faith? If your faith is never challenged, how can you say you are following in the footsteps of Jesus?

It’s easy to sing praises to the Lord when we are not under attack. It is easy to sing His praises when we are surrounded by others who are praising Him. But, do we praise Him when it is not so easy? During His trial and crucifixion, Jesus was left all alone. Fear gripped those who claimed to love Him, and they only watched Him from a distance. Peter even denied he even knew the Lord, not once, but three times in a very short span of time.

If we truly love the Lord with all of our heart, mind, and soul, we will stand strong for Him. Don’t let others influence your stand for the Lord. Don’t let the crowd sway you. Stand, even if you have to stand all alone for Him.