Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Matthew 21:9

I have thought about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, I guess with Easter this weekend and we are studying the book of Matthew in BSF. the word hosanna means save. The people were calling out to Jesus to save them, to be their King. The irony in that is they did not like they way He chose to do it. His plan was to save them, die for them but not rule as a fancy, powerful ruler who would overtake the Romans. No, His plan was servant hood, a sacrifice, His own blood, sweat & tears, His own life. Their plan was for him to be magnificent, rich & domineering to those beneath them. They acknowledged him as king as he rode in on a colt, which was fulfilled prophecy but they were the same crowd days later that agreed to his death crying "crucify him!" The same people, the same people who claimed to love Him also agreed to His death. The same people.

they did not understand his plan, the plan of humility. they wanted greatness, a great kingdom that was above all other nations, to rule all. greatness was who was 1st in Jesus' line-up? who got to take center stage with him? they did not know there was no stage, no throne here on earth, just an old rugged cross between 2 criminals. in Matthew, i have been studying greatness. Jesus thought the greatest were those who served. serving...that is those who teach Sunday school, minister to their neighbor, send a note to a friend, share a meal, share the word, etc. guess what? i have done & do all of that?! am i great? nope....i learned he wants us to do it with a good attitude, a gracious, godly, humble attitude. when it was time to heal the sick, listen to a child, hug someone, share the Word or walk outside to feed someone in the heat or rain, Jesus did not complain.

This quote from a few weeks ago from BSF really convicted me - "true greatness is not hindering children no matter what you think of their parents!" (N. French) ouch! in our ministry, it is not hard to be frustrated with our kid's parents. hate the sin, love the sinner. that is so true. not all of them are like that but some are. i may not agree with their parenting style or way of life but but i am choosing not to hinder them, i will not look over them b/c of who they are or who their parents are. is the reward great? are they so thankful? no big salary, no huge thank you note but God sees it and there will be a greater blessing from him. i run into similar problems at church, some parents/people never volunteer in the nursery or anywhere else in the church for that matter. but, God is concerned with ME and how i react. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matt 19:14 In this scripture, "Children" does not necessarily mean little people, it can also mean new believers.

This spring, i am trying a new attitude and you know what? it has helped..a lot. the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is working in me! i am less frustrated at home, willing to let things roll off my back and enjoying my family and the service all do all week. and, it is easier. service is easy when God does it in you. my heart will choose to say, blessed be Your name, the same name that saved me and continues to save me...from myself! Grant me more humility Lord so I never miss what you are trying to say to me!

James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.