Hosanna

Matthew 21:1-11

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you , and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

Say to the Daughter of Zion, See your king comes to you gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and followed shouted.

"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the Highest!"

Risk taking...something I have become all too familiar with here lately. My friend Bonnie was just telling me this weekend of a speaker that she remembers from her college days that talked about taking risks for the Lord. Bonnie, I know this won't be exact, but what an awesome message! Here is what I remember...

God wants us to be risk takers. Why? Because He was. What do you have to lose? Lookin' foolish? He did.

How do you think those disciples felt when Jesus said (paraphrase)...Hey...run ahead to the next town and untie a colt and donkey and bring them to me. I am pretty sure they had to have some uneasiness about stealing someone else's colt. Maybe not, but the important thing is that they did it anyway. Jesus said..."go and do" and they did. They took a risk in walking into that city and following Jesus' requests.

Are you a risk taker for God? Do you hear his requests and seek out what he is asking you? Sometimes God asks me things and I just want to say..."God, not now." Or, "God...this is not a good time for me and I really don't think that is a good idea." But He is persistent. He knows and He keeps on keepin' on until we are obedient. Sometimes I carry out his wishes with such anguish. Sometimes I am fearful the entire time. And then here lately, I have been following his orders with a peace in my heart that could only be Him. So strange.

PR said yesterday in JAM that Hosanna means Save Us. The people of Jerusalem were shouting Save Us! We need a Savior! And they were so excited at the thought of him coming to save. Little did they know he'd do it in such a powerful way. At those moments as they were laying the palm branches down and praising Him...they had no idea the pain they'd suffer in the next week as He would be sacrificed for our sins. They were blind to the REAL reason the King was coming. And he followed through...Oh did he ever. He saved us all...not just the people who where praising him that day. He saved us all...but not without pain and suffering.

PR also talked to us about preparing for Him. The King is coming...to our town...to our church...to our neighborhood...to our homes...to our hearts. How will we prepare for him?

This is Holy Week. So much to be thankful for. So much to wrap our minds around. From his coming to His death and then Resurrection. As PR says...we are in the shadow of the cross. Be aware this week as you go about your day to day of the events that took place that have given us this joy in our hearts. And don't be afraid to share it with others...be risk takers and do as He tells you. Have a blessed Monday.

I already had today's song on my playlist, but I thought it was appropriate. I'd need a Savior by Among the Thirsty.

Amy