What is enjoyable about watching parades? What would you like or dislike
about actually participating in a big parade? What kinds of events or
occasions do we celebrate with parades? No doubt there are many details
that go into carrying out such a soul-stirring public event! Today we
will be looking into this very topic in light of the story of Christ's
ride into Jerusalem....
Mark 11:1-2, "And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and
Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
[2] And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you:
and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon
never man sat; loose him, and bring him."
This was a parade planned by Christ Himself during the Passover season
when thousands of Jews were making their pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Jesus
began by
instructing two disciples to go into the nearby village where they would
find a colt tied. They were to loose the animal and bring it to Him. No
doubt a colt who had never been ridden by man before would be a bit frisky
and make the task both a noisy and noticeable affair! Now ladies, how
would you feel about carrying out these particular instructions? Would
you have considered it an absurd request to venture into an unknown village
and locate this specific animal and simply take it? My first thought in
helping plan this parade would have been, "But what if someone questions
my behavior?"
Mark 11:3-6, "And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that
the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. [4]
And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in
a place where two ways met; and they loose him. [5] And certain of them
that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? [6] And
they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go."
What a significant lesson for the disciples - and for me too! The two
obediently carried out Christ's orders and found His Word to be sure;
their experience matched what He said. Ladies, all you and I have to do
is follow the Lord's instructions precisely and He will take care of the
details we worry so much about! If anyone objects to your actions, just
share God's Word with them, amen? Our real worry ought not to be so trivial,
but rather whether or not we are willing to yield completely to our King!
When the Lord has need of something, all things must be done as He commands...
Mt. 21:4-6, "All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King
cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of
an ass."
Knowing He typically avoided public scenes, why do you think Jesus planned
this demonstration? As verse 4 above tells us, all this was done as He
commanded so that prophecy might be fulfilled. Yes, Jesus Christ was in
the habit of carrying out His Father's perfect will... The disciples also
carried out their Master's desire and did as He bid them do. We must imitate
their example, amen ladies? Jesus should be the ruler in our lives...
This parade was not one promoting pride, but humility, for Christ's coming
to Jerusalem was an act of God's mercy and grace; a demonstration of His
desire for the eyes of the Jews to be opened to His Son as the King of
Kings. Do you recognize Christ as such, dear lady?? When are you reluctant
to allow Jesus to take His rightful place as King in your life?
Matthew 21:6-8, "And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
[7] And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes,
and they set him thereon. [8] And a very great multitude spread their
garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed
them in the way."
This is my very favorite part of the parade!! While Christ commanded the
disciples to bring Him the animals necessary for the procession, Jesus
never mentioned a word about them putting their clothes upon the donkey.
This was something they planned of their own accord, in honor of Christ
before they set Him on the colt. Jesus was their King, and would be treated
as such - even in the little things! Notice too, that the Bible says a
"very great multitude" spread their garments in the way... There were
others who recognized Christ as King and proved it in the laying down
of their clothing along the path He would travel. They too, contributed
humility to this holy parade.
Ladies, if you were in attendance of this blessed demonstration of Christ's
supremacy, would you have been willing to sacrifice your wardrobe in honor
of your King? Could you, in clear conscience, participate in this holy
part of the parade? Would you be comfortable seating Christ upon that
which you choose to wear everyday? Would your garments be worthy to lay
in the road for our meek and humble Savior to trod upon, or would you
be ashamed to see them lay there before His eyes? Of what nature are your
garments, dear lady? Do they reflect your humility before God? Are they
worthy to be used in public honor of the King of Kings? Perhaps this is
an area of your life which is difficult for you to surrender to Christ's
authority....
Matthew 21:9, "And the multitudes that went before, and that followed,
cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh
in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."
All the planning that went into this soul-stirring public demonstration,
pointed others to Christ's true identity. He WAS the King of Kings! Is
it "Hosanna in the Highest" with you too?? Is God's will utmost in your
life? The people that comprised this crowd publicly proclaimed Jesus as
such; the disciples with their obedience, the multitudes with their wardrobes,
and all with their speech. "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the
Lord"... Yes, blessed are those that participate in God's holy parade,
that submit consistently to Christ's authority!
What does the Lord "need" from you to accomplish His plan in your life,
dear lady? How will you honor and worship Jesus as King today and everyday??
P.S. Notice the colt never bucked once.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
