Hosanna Restoration Church

Today, the world celebrates the “Triumphal Entry” of Jesus Christ. For many it is a day of palm branches and preparation for the Resurrection celebration next week. It is a day when many who never shout in church will shout Hosanna because that is what all the people did when Jesus rode into the city all those years ago.

As we read the gospel of Mark, we see that Jesus came to Jerusalem at the end of a marvelous run of successful ministry! He healed every disease, cast out every devil, and fed multitudes with little food. Now as He enters the city and the people are cheering wildly. Those who have read the rest of the story know that it was only a few days later that some of these same folks were crying out for Him to be crucified.

Upon Jesus arrival in the city we are told that He went into the temple and looked around at things and then he left. While he was gone he cursed a fig tree for having no fruit. He then went back to Jerusalem and proceeded to clean out the temple and tell them His house should be a house of prayer. It seems to me that He felt pretty much the same way about the temple of moneychangers as He did about the fruitless fig tree.

I think it is fortunate for the folks in the temple that Jesus only drove them out rather than speaking the word and having them all shrivel and die. He really could have done that. We know it is true. He said that at any time He could have called on His Father and a host of angels would have gladly changed the course of history. Fortunately for us, He loved us too much to defend Himself or change the plan for our salvation.

This is a great season and it should be greatly celebrated, but we must be careful to make sure that it is not just a seasonal commitment. Remember, many of the same people who were happy to take place in the celebration when Jesus came to the city, were unwilling to stand against the crowd when they were calling for His death.

If our faith is only a Christmas and Easter faith or if it is only a Sunday and Wednesday faith, then it is like a fruitless fig tree or a temple of moneychangers. What good is that? Jesus said that we should have the qualities of salt. We should always add flavor and be preserving the good news.

I know that many reading this are committed to a daily walk with Jesus, and yet I know that we can all stand to be challenged and reminded that we must daily pick up our cross and follow. Those who love God most tend to be the most willing to ask God to search them and know their hearts. I know this season always challenges me to take inventory of my faith and to ask God to search me. May all of our lives be found fruitful. Have a blessed Palm Sunday.