Stirred Up!

The disciples went, and did just as Jesus commanded them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them. A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Others cut branches from the trees, and spread them on the road. The multitudes who went before him, and who followed kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”        Matthew 21:6-11 (WEB)

Many of you may have heard this passage as part of the Gospel reading this past weekend. I did not. I was scheduled to work. I spent some time reading the ‘triumphant entry’ passages in the Bible. Holy Week is my favorite out of all 52 weeks in the year. Every day I remember with a ‘heart knowledge’ how Jesus’ whole life was about the path to Jerusalem. He perfectly walked out His call. Everything He did for 33 years was about what was coming on Friday. There could be no victory on Sunday – without Friday. Do I understand that I, too, have ‘Friday’ before the promised ‘Sunday’ in my life? Do I know that Jesus, my Lord and Savior, became fully human so that I would have His example to make it through my Friday? If that does not bring tears of thanksgiving and tears that come when I am touched by such overwhelming love – I don’t know what will!

…the city was stirred up… Does your fellowship stir up your city with the Good News of Jesus Christ? If your church left your community, would people notice? Do people ask you who Jesus is? And what is your answer?

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”       Matthew 16:16 (WEB)

When speaking of Jesus, when speaking His Good News, we must not water it down! Jesus is not just a prophet. A prophet is a wondrous, God-given gift but there is only one LORD and one Savior. Oh, may I have the openness of Peter to speak God’s truth of who Jesus is! Peter was not perfect. He spoke this profound truth and still denied Jesus. He, like me, had not learned how weak he was and how much he needed Jesus’ promise of the Spirit. Peter learned! On Pentecost, Peter empowered by the Spirit spoke and “stirred up” Jerusalem yet again. The power to stir up is not about manipulation of emotions but a spirit response to spiritual truth. It is a passionate response to Jesus’ passionate love!

As a meditate through this week, may my response be more than ‘lip service’. It’s more than just shouting “Hosanna”. It is about being stirred up from the heart and spirit outward. May the time I spend with Jesus this week break off any crusty, stale areas around my heart and spirit. May I allow His Spirit to massage my heart and spirit with the truth of His love, His sacrifice, His gift to me. It is a week to receive from my loving Savior.