Hosanna Restoration Church

I think we have all faced things that we did not look forward to, but we knew they had to be done. When we face these things, we can only hope it will turn out the way we want them to. Sometimes we are sure, but even then, it is difficult.

Today we celebrate the week of all weeks. Jesus wept for the people who would crucify Him. He washed the feet of the one who betrayed Him and the one who denied Him. The rest did better, they ran away.

In spite of this, He was certain that His father and our father would not fail Him. And so for the Joy set before Him; He was ready to endure the cross. He was ready to handle the shame. Oh, what a wonderful savior He is.

When He entered the city, they cheered and honored Him. I wonder if He felt like we do when someone pats us on the back when we know they talk about us behind our back. Or when someone has nothing good to say about us until they need something. I think Jesus was able to simply keep looking to God, who was the author and the finisher of this plan. Remember, He is also the author and finisher of our faith.

We know it was not easy. We know a tiny bit about how He agonized in the garden. We have never agonized that much, but it sure seems like it sometimes. You know, those times when we are sure no one understands, and we resent it when they say they do? At the same time, we expect them to have some sort of answer and we are not excited when they tell us we have to trust God.

Have you ever refused or at least hesitated to trust God? Have you ever jumped ahead of God even when God is telling you to trust Him? I am pretty sure we can all admit we have in fact done this and perhaps much more! And still, the truth is, He knew all about it and still finished this course just for you and me. This is another of those things that is pretty unbelievable, until we actually believe. God cares about us. He cares when we are deep in sin. He cares when we refuse to believe. He cares when we reject Him. His care for us overrode His care for Himself.

As we remember this week, we can learn many lessons. Jesus shows us that we can trust God. He shows how to handle betrayal. He shows us that we can handle being praised, and we can handle being betrayed. He shows us that God is with us when kings are against us. He shows us that God is for us when religion is against us. He shows us that when we feel beaten down, He will raise us up!

I just felt such an amazing peace thinking about these things. It occurs to me that the only way Jesus handled this was keeping His eyes on His father and our father. Of course, we know that; still, I think at best we only know about that. There are so many things we know on the information level, that we need to experience on the transformational level. There are things that we have heard and heard, and many times they are less than the truth. Take this week to heart. It is life changing!