My Second Love

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.        1 John 4:7-12 (NIV)

I’ve heard it often said (and I have said it here) that parenting isn’t for wimps. Neither is marriage. Both of these jobs are much harder than my first profession, nursing. Here I am in what could be called the autumn of my life with years of life experiences and I still believe marriage and parenting are very difficult to do with success. Every day I must intentionally seek God’s guidance and wisdom. There are no vacations or ‘coasting’.

A few years ago, Elgin Hushbeck, taught a class that I attended and gave an inspired illustration of this passage. Today I am learning specifically about how it applies to my marriage. Elgin drew an equilateral triangle, placing God at the top point, “me” and “others” at the two bottom points. He reminded us, as John did, God first loved me (arrows traveling down the triangle to me) and that we cannot say we love God if we do not love others (arrows traveling from me over to others). I show my love for God when I love others (arrows traveling back up to God). I cannot be unkind to others and still claim that I love God. In my life, dear friends, I confess that the arrows, on occasion, get ‘blocked’ at the ‘me’.

Jesus is my First Love. He receives my primary heart allegiance. In my life, Henry receives my second heart allegiance. Yes, before my children. Remember, love from God is not divided into pieces and parts so that one receives less when another is added. God’s love multiplies so that there is always enough for everyone in my life, including me!

Marriage works when I keep my Bucket of God-Love full. When I intentionally spend time with God and allow Him to pour out His love on me, then there is always enough love in my life to give fully to my husband and children. But I am the one who allows the flow to continue unimpeded from God. I am grateful that God convicts me when I am not the conduit I should be to Henry. I feel awful. I want to continue to learn and be the wife that God wants me to be so that His love is complete in me.

Our marriage must be in my daily prayers. I need Jesus to teach me His way, His truth. I want so much to be a blessing to my husband and to the life that we have committed to God.

Posted in 1 John | Comments Off on My Second Love

Always More

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: “He’s got to have been with him! He’s got ‘Galilean’ written all over him.”

Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and cried and cried and cried.         Luke 22:59-62 (The Message)

Many events happened on this day called by many as, Good Friday. I grew up in a church culture that focused, almost exclusively, on the solemnity of the extreme sacrifice that Jesus made. Every step of His suffering journey was recalled and meditated upon. That’s not a bad thing. The crucifixion of the Messiah was not quick and clean. The magnitude of the gift of salvation should never be quickly passed over or minimized. But there is always more in a life with Jesus.

Peter has always been one my Bible favorites. He is so real. He is so not perfect! And I can so relate.

I have had times in my life with Jesus in which I failed miserably. I cried and cried and cried. I believed I could never be accepted or welcomed back into that wonderful place where Jesus and I are close and intimate with each other.

When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Feed My lambs,” He told him.

A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Shepherd My sheep,” He told him.

He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.”

“Feed My sheep,” Jesus said. “ I assure you: When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me!”                     John 21:15-19 (HCSB)

Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus asked and got an affirmative answer from Peter three times. I wonder if Peter didn’t think of that as the years went on, grateful that Jesus ‘covered’ or ‘canceled’ the denials with declarations of love. Surely not a coincidence. And no happenstance that Jesus sends His assurance to me that His arms are always open to restore me in our relationship, drying my tears.

Let us take time today to come and spend time with Jesus today. Let us embrace the extraordinary gift of His love. Begin by opening one of the gospels and reading the events of this day. Then open the Book of Revelation and read chapters 21 and 22. The time is coming when there will be no more tears because Jesus said, “It is finished.”

 

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Pray So That …

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, as he often did, and his disciples went with him. When they got there, he told them, “Pray that you won’t be tested.”

Jesus walked on a little way before he knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you will, please don’t make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.” Then an angel from heaven came to help him. Jesus was in great pain and prayed so sincerely that his sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood. Jesus got up from praying and went over to his disciples. They were asleep and worn out from being so sad. He said to them, “Why are you asleep? Wake up and pray that you won’t be tested.”                                  Luke 22:39-46 (CEV)

Luke’s gospel of this moment in Jesus’ life here on earth is the one that I come to every Holy Thursday to read and meditate on. It is Dr. Luke who tells me that Jesus’ anguish in His prayer was so profound that His human body responded in an horrific way. As a medical person, it speaks to me about the level of physical and spiritual anguish He was in.

And then I consider the “anguish” in my own life. I have never sweated blood. I have had times when I thought my heart (or my gut) could not stand the pain that I was in. I felt overwhelmed that made me cry out, “Father, please take this from me!”. In the middle of this pain, it is such a comfort to know that Jesus knelt in that place before me.

It is in seeing Jesus in that position that I can also see the angel, the messenger, of comfort and strength that is promised to me. Jesus showed me that the Father hears and He responds.

Jesus also shows me how to grow to the place where I can say, “Father, more than I want relief from this situation, I want what You want.” Jesus leads me to a place of greater trust and faith. He shows me how to walk any path, any day. The strength to walk is there for me. It is! The problem is that I am refusing to be weak enough to accept it. (Ouch)

Twice in this passage, Jesus tells His disciples to “pray that you won’t be tested”. If Jesus said it twice in a few minutes, it must be important, right? If I am going through a rough time, is my prayer time increasing accordingly? Am I spending more time ‘talking with God’ or whining to myself? Am I exhausted like the disciples with my sadness?

“PRAY THAT YOU WON’T BE TESTED!” GOT IT? GET IT!

Father, I thank You that You have not given up on me. I am crying out to You today asking You to guide me with the wisdom of Your Holy Spirit. I ask for mercy, LORD. I ask that I not be tested. Release me from this suffering. I want to walk in Your will. Help me, LORD. Help me. I commit to spending more time with You every day. Thank You for allowing me to talk. Now I will listen. In Jesus’ name I pray.

 

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The Time is Now

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. But he answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can’t discern the signs of the times! An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” He left them, and departed. Matthew 16:1-4 (WEB)

There is much speculation these days about the ‘end times’, especially since we have experienced severe hurricanes, a tsunami that has killed over 100,000 people, and an earthquake that killed another 300,000 people. Questions are raised about the ‘escalating’ severity of the weather and even Christian media brings up discussions about ‘God’s punishment on sinners’.

Jesus tells me in this passage that there will be no miraculous sign except one like Jonah’s silence for three days in the belly of a whale and Jesus’ silence for three days in the tomb. As long as we rebel against the will of God and are adulterous to our first love, Jesus Christ, we can ask for explanations all we want – but we’re missing the point.

For me, the point is this: Love the Lord with all that you are, holding nothing back. Love your neighbor as yourself. Go then – and make disciples because the Father desires that all come to know His truth.

Through all these tragedies there are opportunities to show God’s love – without expecting payment. We have been given so much – salvation, a free gift – and more love from our Father than we can grasp the height, width, and depth of its size. Jesus said we were given it freely and so we should freely give.

There are so many of these Scriptures that I know and understand what God is telling me to do and I am not yet fulfilling – why do I spend time looking at the sky and trying to interpret ‘the times’?

He [Jesus] spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. He said to the vine dresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why does it waste the soil?’ He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it, and fertilize it. If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’”               Luke 13:6-9 (WEB)

God is giving me more and more opportunities to reach out and be His ambassador. It is time for me to grow the abundant amount of fruit that He desires for me and that I desire to grow for God’s glory. It is time. Now.

 

 

Posted in Luke, Matthew | Comments Off on The Time is Now

God Knew the Price – God Paid the Price

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake; seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (WEB)

Christianity for me is belief in God and following Christ’s example or imitating Jesus in that belief that brings eternal life. I was looking at the words ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ in the Bible and in every passage I read tjat ‘light’ is associated with knowledge of God and His truth whereas ‘darkness’ is where God is not and denotes a lack of the knowledge of God. This makes sense in the practical application in my life. When I am on God’s path, no matter what the circumstances, there is ‘right-ness’ and peace. The picture of the moment is clear even though I may not be able to see past the moment. When I am ‘off’ God’s path, my world seems gray and lacks light to provide a clear image. I confess that when I am in that gray place that I stumble around and feel a ‘panic’ rise up in me and yet I hesitate to walk toward the ‘light’ that is always there because that means I will have to walk away from my way or what I want. I even have wonderful brothers and sisters who reflect God’s light to me, consciously or unconsciously leading me towards His light and still I hesitate to leave my darkness. Funny, huh? No, not really.

Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to Yahweh.

This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter into it.

I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.

This is Yahweh’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!

Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh!

We have blessed you out of the house of Yahweh.

Yahweh is God, and he has given us light.

Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you.

You are my God, I will exalt you. Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. Psalm 118:19-29 (WEB)

Notice it says here that God “has given us light”. It is no coincidence. God wants me to walk in His light. He wants me to know the Truth. It is not a game to Him. My life in Him is something He wants me to be successful in doing! He puts His way, His truth, His life out there with bright lights and big singns that say, “This way! Over here!” When I am on a trip down an unknown highway, I will not miss the exit when I am looking for it! It’s when I am talking and paying little attention or paying attention is secondary to what I am doing – that is when I miss the exit and end up lost and back-tracking!

Thus says God Yahweh, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it. “I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations; to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison. Isaiah 42:5-7 (WEB)How great is the love that the Father has for us, His children!

 

 

Posted in 2 Corinthians, Devotional, Isaiah, Psalms | 2 Comments

On the Road

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

It happened that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there. Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these mighty works? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?” They were offended by him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house.”

He didn’t do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:53-58 (WEB)

This passage has interested me ever since I began teaching in the Church. I’m beginning to think that it might even fall in the category of a Christian Principle!

As a parent, I was aware that my children went through various seasons in their lives in which they questioned my intelligence and wisdom. For a very short time as pre-schoolers they thought I knew the answers to all questions and could fix anything. About the time of second grade math and when they became conscious of ‘style’, they found out that Mom really did not know everything! That season pretty much lasted until they left home and went to college. It was at college that they found out that many of things that I had told them as teenagers about the world in general – was actually pretty much true! And I was the one responsible for doing laundry, housecleaning, and cooking miraculously all at one time!

As I began teaching Sunday school classes in my local church, it again became quite apparent that there is sometimes a direct correlation between the participants’ familiarity with me and my level of wisdom! That was confirmed when I went to other churches, other cities, other states, and other countries because the participants of those classes thought that much of what I had to say was pretty wise!

God is the One who is wise. He gives me brothers and sisters who know me, be the ones who will challenge me and hold me accountable to Jesus’ standard. One of the many reasons that even though I might be in ministry – I also need to receive ministry!

Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance. Proverbs 27:17 (WEB)

Jesus opens opportunities for me to minister out in the world just as He did for the first disciples. And just as they found God’s faithfulness in going before them and inspiring them with His wisdom and understanding, so God is faithful to do the same for me.

Jesus spoke hard truths that rocked people’s paradigm of who they thought God was and what their relationship with Him should be. He did not just read the Scriptures to people. He brought the Scriptures into a living parable or story that connected with their lives. He did not weigh people down with just “don’t do this” but instead show people what to do. It was always about bringing the Father closer to His children. To come closer, I must let go of what is holding me back so that my hand is open to take the Father’s hand.

I hope we will open ourselves to the different seasons and not get stuck in just teaching a Sunday School class. Look for opportunities to go out and take Jesus’ away from your comfortable home church and into a mission field. Whether it is sharing at another church or bringing encouragement to a nursing home or flying to another country, take some “fresh Bread” to another hungry soul. Step out of your comfort zone with the assurance that Jesus is waiting there for you.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Matthew, Proverbs | Comments Off on On the Road

The Road of Worship: Part IV

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

On the next day a great multitude had come to the feast. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”

Jesus, having found a young donkey, sat on it. As it is written, “Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples didn’t understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him. The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, was testifying about it. For this cause also the multitude went and met him, because they heard that he had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the [whole] world has gone after him.”              John 12:12-19 (WEB, my emphasis, my addition)

The crowd had come for Passover. Arguably the feast in the Judaic traditions. God brought His people out of their bondage and into the land that He promised. Jesus enters Jerusalem, the Lamb who is the one who will set God’s people free for all time and bring them to the place He has prepared for them. And yet John says that the disciples did not understand until after the Resurrection. Jesus revealed the Scriptures (remember Emmaus?) including this one here from Zechariah 9:9, I suspect. But at that moment they were remembering the miracle of Lazarus restoration and praise could not be stopped from their lips.

Can you hear the frustration in the words of the Pharisees? When true worship from the heart occurs and people live their lives in the fruit of their commitment to God, religious people get beyond angry.

But they [the Sanhedrin, the leaders], when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and determined to kill them. But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while. He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do. For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”             Acts 5:33-39 (WEB, my addition)

Oh, if we could all learn from history! Gamaliel spoke a profound truth from which we could all learn. A group gets “fired up” to serve God, worship God, spend time in study of God’s Word and those who have been in the church get angry because “their way” has been disrupted. Gamaliel counsels that above all else, we do not want to fight God.

Jesus is real and when I get that and come into a relationship with Him in a real and tangible way that produces fruit then my life changes and the way I live my life changes. I have a new normal. I am different. I may be seen as passionate or as a “Jesus fanatic” and that is not always received well. But Peter and John told the Sanhedrin that when given a choice – they would choose God first every time (Acts 4:19-20).

This Sunday, Palm Sunday, I will be worshiping my LORD. No rocks will be out-singing me! And I will still be worshiping Him on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and…

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The Road of Worship: Part III

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

He answered them, “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.”

When he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come on you, when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, surround you, hem you in on every side, and will dash you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.”       Luke 19:39-44 (WEB)

Luke 19:28-38 is the triumphant entry of Jesus that I have read for the last two days. In Luke’s gospel at verse 39 a different perspective is given. The Pharisees get in on the worship and attempt to put their giant pin in the worship balloon. “Jesus! Tell these people to ‘Shut up!’” Jesus cannot deny the hearts of the people in worship. Something for all of us to remember when we become so enamored of our ‘Order of Worship’; so focused on making sure we hit all the points that when true worship happens, we ‘Shut up’ and move on to the next point. Are we going to be surprised when Jesus pulls that up in His ledger on Judgment Day?

When my children participated in sporting events or performed in a concert, I was on my feet clapping and whooping! Jesus told the Pharisees that if the people did not cry out in worship that the rocks would. I do not want any rocks worshiping my LORD more intensely than I do! What is in my heart when I worship? Do I ever weep?

Jesus wept. He wept because His heart is tender to all that we do to ourselves. He wept over those mourning Lazarus (John 11). And now He weeps over the whole city of Jerusalem because they have missed seeing Him for who He really is. There are terrible times coming and Jesus weeps because the people have put their trust in buildings that will not survive the coming times. It is God who will be there for all the tomorrows.

God does not look for me just inside buildings that we have created for worship. He looks for me worshiping in my bedroom, in my workplace, and out on the streets. As I go through this day, will Jesus see me worshiping Him? Will people that I meet know that they have met Jesus even when they do not remember my name? Will the rocks cry out when I am silent?

Open our eyes, Lord.

We want to see Jesus.

To reach out and touch Him

And say that we love Him.

 

Open our ears, Lord.

And help us to listen.

Open our eyes, Lord.

We want to see Jesus.

– unknown author

 

Posted in Luke | Comments Off on The Road of Worship: Part III

The Road of Worship: Part II

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

When they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him, and bring him. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs him;’ and immediately he will send him back here.”

They went away, and found a young donkey tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him. Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing, untying the young donkey?” They said to them just as Jesus had said, and they let them go.

They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it. Many spread their garments on the way, and others were cutting down branches from the trees, and spreading them on the road. Those who went in front, and those who followed, cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Jesus entered into the temple in Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Mark 11:1-11 (WEB)

If the Scripture today seemed very similar to yesterday’s passage, that happens in Mark’s gospel.

It is a ‘heart experience’ as I read about Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. This is a passage of Scripture that is totally about emotion. Here is the Messiah. Here is the Promise of which the prophets have spoke for hundreds and hundreds of years.

Jesus goes from the adoration of the entrance to killing a fig tree and cleaning out His house of thieves. I am reminded that Jesus is my Savior and God. The two Old Testament Scriptures spell this out.

“Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh, to minister to him, and to love the name of Yahweh, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Isaiah 56:6-8 (WEB)

“Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods that you have not known, and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered; that you may do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says Yahweh. Jeremiah 7:9-11 (WEB)

Almighty God! It is His determination to call all to Himself. In Isaiah’s passage, He is inviting those who are not of Israel to come in and dwell with Him. That was a radical thought to the people to whom Isaiah was speaking!

Then Jeremiah brings a warning that false religion is worthless. Do not come into God’s house as a hypocrite proclaiming your love for God and then go out and follow “other gods” to sin. Are there any other gods in my life? Is there anything or anyone that has my allegiance above God?

As a mother, I have to be very careful that I do not put the needs of my children above God. Oh, how I need the wisdom of His Spirit! Have I succeeded in church work but failed to take the time to worship my LORD?

Create in me a pure heart, LORD, that desires You, and only You, above all else. May my life produce abundant fruit that testifies to You in my life, full of faith and trust in You.

 

 

Posted in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Mark | Comments Off on The Road of Worship: Part II

The Road of Worship: Part I

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

When they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethsphage to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them, and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,

“Tell the daughter of Zion,

behold, your King comes to you,

humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

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 21:1-11 (WEB)

Prior to this passage, Matthew tells Jesus’ parable of the vineyard workers (Matthew 20:1-16) who are called at different times of the day to work and at the end of the day are paid the same. Of course it speaks to God’s justice that comes from the heart of a perfect Father who welcomes His children whenever they answer His call.

But today I am thinking about worship. I am focused this week on worship of my LORD. This parable finds an application in my mind that in this life I struggle. Some days I do not feel like worshiping. Some days I have difficulty seeing the reason for worship. And some days it feels like I have been worshiping Him all day, every day of my life. But next week, I will read about two thieves on a cross, one on each side of Jesus. One of them refuses look and accept while the other does see and lives to worship another day. God welcomes my worship whether I have done it all my life or I turn at the last moment and extend every bit of myself to Him in worship.

Jesus also shows me the unequaled compassion that He has as I read about His healing of two blind men (Matthew 20:29-34). Get the picture of Jesus on His way to the cross, taking this journey because our sins were so horrific next to God that only Jesus could make it right. But He stops and hears the cries of God’s children hurting …and heals them.

Finally, I read about a mother who asks Jesus to elevate her sons to His level (Matthew 20:20-28). It is a gross understatement to say that she does not know what she is asking. But then when I took the step from being a believer in Jesus Christ to being His disciple/follower, I didn’t know the depth of that commitment either. Jesus speaks out and says that if I want to be great in His Kingdom – I serve others. I give my life so that others live and grow in their relationship with Him. There’s no promise of great wealth or applause. Except in the eternal bank where Jesus keeps the ledger.

At the end of today’s Scripture when the “Hosanna’s” have faded, the question is posed: “Who is this?” and the people answered that Jesus was a prophet. They didn’t know, yet, who He really was but they were worshiping Him. I may not know all that Jesus is but I worship Who I do know and believe that through my worship of Him, I will learn more about Him.

Paul said it best when he told the church in Rome, and me, that every part of my life is to be an act of worship of God (Romans 12). Do that and I will learn more about God; Who He really is.

Posted in Matthew | Comments Off on The Road of Worship: Part I