Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Jesus shows us how it's done

Sunday, April 5, 2009

John 12:12-16
The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!"

Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."

At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

What was Jesus thinking? I don't think he was pre-occupied or worried about the coming days. He knew what God wanted from him. And He knew how the people needed to prepare for his death and resurrection.

When Jesus looked into a man or woman's face he knew that person already. The children that flocked to his side, even while he rode the donkey, drew his hands to their heads and their faces. He touched them and they knew how much he loved them.

Jesus was fully present in every moment. He did this every day, all day. He did not get caught second-guessing himself about the past or rehearsing the future. His intense immediacy brought joy to the innocent and pure, and brought fear to the wicked as they saw themselves in the mirror of his eyes.

Jesus is riding the donkey to his death. He will celebrate his last Passover and be captured by soldiers, tortured and killed. His action plan includes all these elements.

Jesus knows the dry dust on his feet from the deserts and fields of his country. And he knows that the awful, dry days approaching have been ordained by his Father. He is secure and solid in his Father's love. Nothing will ever change that. It is always the primary fact about his life. Whether this particular day is dry and dying or ripe with promise and growth, Jesus is united with his Father. They are one.

Lord, when trouble is near and there is no one to help, you are not far from me. You brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God. There is no one like you.

Devotions Archive

Jesus shows us how it's done

Sunday, April 5, 2009