Day Sixteen

Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” - Matthew 21:8-9

Take a moment and read the full story of Matthew 21:6-11. Jesus knew how to draw a crowd. It seemed that everywhere He went, He either stirred up curiosity or criticism among the people around Him. For those present when Jesus made His entry into Jerusalem, it was, perhaps, excitement that caused them to gather that day.

Imagine that your favorite team just acquired the most sought-after athlete in baseball.  Your beloved team has had a losing streak so long that you have all but given up hope for that championship. That is until one unexpected, yet glorious day when Johnny Baseball signs with your team. The excitement in your city is palpable. Suddenly you find yourself full of life-giving hope for the upcoming season. You can all but taste the object of your hope: a Championship title. Then you hear that Johnny Baseball will be making his debut in your city and the excitement carries you to where he is. With great fanfare, you and your fellow fans welcome him into your city. You want to honor the man that brings hope.

I imagine it was much the same with the crowds that gathered to welcome Jesus to Jerusalem. They had reasoned that Jesus was going to save them (Hosanna) from their physical troubles and set up His kingdom on earth. As you can imagine, this idea was thrilling. So wonderful was the hope they experienced, that they paraded through the city shouting exuberantly.  

New and exciting changes have a way of stirring people into action.  The hope of something better than what we are currently experiencing causes us to do some much-needed re-evaluation. Jesus certainly stirred things up during His ministry on earth. He caused people to re-think their beliefs about God or the way they worshipped Him. As we enter a time of new and exciting changes at Champion Forest, allow this new season to stir your heart and to open your mind to how God would want you to participate. Spend time in God’s presence today and allow him to stir things up a bit.

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