SHOUT!
Seventh of nine devotions in Lenten Intense Series from Isaiah
53:1-12
Matthew 21:1-11
Matthew 21:9: “The crowds that went ahead of Him and those
that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!”
Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this
dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Palm
Sunday was Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Riding on a young donkey, people laid down and
waved palm branches, shouting at Him as He passed by. Hosanna is a Hebrew expression that means “Save!” This day began a week of Jesus’ passion.
He’d
celebrate the Passover Feast with His disciples. He’d lead them in the first Holy Communion,
explaining that the bread is His body.
The wine is His blood. Judas would
betray Him. Peter would disown Him. He’d be tried and condemned to be crucified on
a cross.
Shout
Hosanna!
The
greater a believer’s impact for the kingdom of God, the more fiercely the devil
attacks. Ten year old Cassie wanted her
eight year old cousin Shakira to befriend a classmate. The “new girl” in third grade, named Kodie is
from Uganda. Kodie’s skin is very dark. No one in third grade wanted anything to do
with Kodie.
In
Death of Self devotion, Cassie had to
shame Shakira and Violet to play with classmate Kodie. At recess-ending bell, the four admitted
having had great fun playing four square. The devil failed to keep Kodie excluded. This time.
Shout
for joy!
Jesus
understands Kodie’s pain. Jesus
understands how hard it can be to befriend someone who society outcasts. Jesus understands every one of His believer’s
anxiety. He “gets” us. He suffered much during His time on
Earth.
People
disrespected Jesus and disbelieved His teaching. They told lies about Him. They demanded His death—by crucifixion! Pilate ordered Jesus to be flogged. Flogging is a whipping using leather cords
imbedded with metal shards. Each lash shreds
the skin.
Jesus
knew how the very people He came to earth to save would treat Him. And yet He came willingly. He came to die, so that whoever believes in
Him could live forever. He came to gather believers into God’s family. He came with love.
Shout
your gratitude!
Take Home Nugget
Isaiah
53:10: “Yet it was the Lord’s will to
crush Him [in spirit] and cause Him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His
life a guilt offering [mankind’s sin], for He will see his offspring [believers]
and prolong His days [eternal life], and the Lord will prosper in His hand
[blessings for obedience].”
That’s intense!
Shout
praise for resurrected back-to-life big brother Jesus!
J.D. Griffith
Written
for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com
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