"Fear not daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey's colt." John 12:15 NKJV
Those who had longed for the Messiah, their King, anticipated much more pomp and circumstance, more grandeur and more power. They thought the Messiah would rule on earth. Instead, God's plan called for Jesus to enter Jerusalem on a donkey with His disciples following but not understanding. Often times God's plans for us come in unpredictable ways, like on a donkey, and we do not understand at the time.
Like the people then, we miss the bigger picture, the better plan. Sometimes we don't recognize Jesus, as we wave our own agendas! We overlook the opportunities He gives us to worship him while we anticipate our big plans. We miss God’s purpose when we look passed the tattered clothes of the homeless or the tears of an abused child, the hunger in a distant land or the loneliness in an empty life. Like the disciples then, we don't always understand while drowning in our own disappointment or even during our personal celebration parades. Only afterwards, only after we set aside our desires can we recognize Jesus and the Providence and Grace of a loving God.
“When did we ever see you hungry or feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? Or a stranger, and help you? Or naked, and clothed you? When did we ever we you sick or in prison, and visit you?… Jesus replied, When you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:37-40
consider this!
- The crowd was shouting words from a Psalm. Read Psalm 118 and find the words.
- When DID the disciples understand?
- As you read the verses, imagine yourself standing in the crowd. How might you react?
Faithful Father ~ Your Wisdom exceeds my best ideas. My heart's desire is that You find me faithful. Help me see You in all things. Amen. ~dho
All rights reserved, copyright 2009, Donna Oswalt, BreathingRoomForMySoul.com
