Tuesday, we finished The Palm, Part One, declaring that embracing His triumph will enable us to enter, enter into everlasting life. His journey into Jerusalem included a road of suffering ahead of Him, but a victorious triumph that awaited Him and awaits us for those who embrace His triumph. Jesus came to earth so that we could journey with Him.
We cannot sustain a victorious life without Him.
He walked a road that was lonely and included abandonment. His friends, the ones who He discipled, couldn’t even support Him in prayer in His time of need.
Jesus was abandoned by His earthly friends and had to abandon Himself to His Father.
Then we have the crowd, the ones who cried, “Hosanna,” now are crying out, “Crucify Him.” What’s up with that?
One commentary said it this way, “Some of the same crowd who shouted, “Hosanna!” may also have been part of the crowd shouting “Crucify Him!” but we can’t be sure. If some people did join both crowds, it may be because they had grown disillusioned with Jesus when they discovered He was not going to set up the kingdom immediately—or perhaps they disliked Jesus’ insistence that they repent.”
People are people! They like you one minute; then they abandon you the next. Before we make judgement on “those people,” think about how we respond when things don’t appear to be like we wanted. We, too, become disillusioned when things don’t go the way we think they should go.
It wasn’t the crowds’ cries of “Crucify Him!” that put Jesus on the cross; it was our sin.
So, what can we learn from this part of His journey?
Abandonment unto God is the road and journey that we are called to walk on. Jesus modeled that for us!
If we are called to flourish like a palm tree in our journey, we must learn abandonment unto God, no matter what others are saying or shouting!
This necessary road is often lonely that we travel on, but it is a road that paves the way for the strength, vigor and triumph of Jesus to be released through us.
The rest of Psalm 92: 12-13 says this: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.”
God uses another tree to make His point. This time it’s the Cedar of Lebanon tree. Here’s what that type of tree looks like:
Whew, baby! This tree is no little wimpy bush. Look how strong and fortified it is.
In Biblical days, cedar was a major export and source of wealth. Cedar is mentioned throughout the Old Testament as an item of luxury and wealth. David used cedar wood in building his palace, and it was also used in building the temple, which was almost completely paneled with cedar. God planted the cedars in Lebanon, which was a sign of His power and goodness.
Our growth in the things of God always includes His power and His goodness as He plants us in His house, flourishing in His courts.
Once again, I asked my question, “How long does this last?” “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright: He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.” Psalm 92: 14-15
We are never too old to bear fruit for the Lord, staying refreshed as long as we position ourselves in the house of the Lord, in His courts.
As we conclude,
Let your journey reflect the road He walked upon but remember what His suffering and death produced in us, as we embrace His triumph of walking and being planted in Him.
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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