By Mary Hill
We are approaching “Palm Sunday” which heralds the coming of Jesus to Jerusalem. He was surrounded by the citizens as they sang in his honor: “Hosanna to the Son of David” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” to honor him as their long-awaited Messiah and King.
Before the week’s end, the crowd would change instead of singing His praises, they began to sing, “Crucify Him.”
His crime claiming to be “I Am.”
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. (John 8:58-59)
The claim included the term “I am” – a reference God made of Himself when talking to Moses in Exodus.
Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and the Son of God who could forgive sins. These statements were blasphemy to the Jewish religions leaders who sought to kill Him for them on numerous occasions. He, however, never waivered in his message even as He knew His words would bring anger and death upon himself.
He was God come to earth, to live a humble life, and to save the world. His efforts were dauntless. He loved us that much to stand and deliver His message even though He knew it would lead to the death on the cross.
He is the great “I am.” He is the Lord of hosts and worthy to be praised. He came to the world and suffered just as we do, but He came with a mission.
They celebrated his entry into Jerusalem on a Sunday morn riding a humble donkey. His message was never one of hate. His message was one of love and humility. “Come unto me, all who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” Then within a week, He was dead on a Cross.
He could have called 10,000 angels to rescue Him, but He chose to die for you and me. Hallelujah and Praise the Lord.
This is my entry for the April Blogging A to Z Challenge.
Hi Mary, I hope you are well and things are going as smoothly as possible. This post reminds me that sometimes our rough patches can be our saviours… all the best