An Army or a Savior

The prevailing idea seems to be, that I come to God and ask Him for something that I want, and that I expect Him to give me that which I have asked. But this is a most dishonouring and degrading conception. The popular belief reduces God to a servant, our servant: doing our bidding, performing our pleasure, granting our desires. No, prayer is a coming to God, telling Him my need, committing my way unto the Lord, and leaving Him to deal with it as seemeth Him best. A.W. Pink

When you pray do you ever think seriously about what it is you are asking for?  This weekend our pastor spoke about the importance of Palm Sunday.  He talked about how many times when we pray we often ask for things that we want versus things that we need.

When the pastor spoke about Palm Sunday he talked about how Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.  He even sent two of the disciples in ahead of Him to get the donkey.  If you think about it Jesus didn’t have a ride, he had to borrow one.  As Jesus approached the city the people threw down their cloaks and spread branches on the road and shouted “Hosanna”.  The really sad part about this story is that a week later these very same people would be shouting for our Savior’s death on a cross. 

In complete contrast to how Jesus entered the city, Pilate entered in a chariot with horses as if he were going to battle. I think the people of that day really wanted Jesus to enter the city the way Pilate did with great fanfare and a big army. 

I think the people of that time were no different than us.  They wanted a Savior who would ride in on a great steed with a great army and conquer the Romans and take back their city.  I think they were disappointed in Jesus.  They didn’t really understand what their need was.  They needed a Savior and wanted an army. The very people who had cried “Hosanna” when Jesus entered Jerusalem, now shouted “crucify Him”. 

If you think about it, we would have no chance of salvation if Jesus had not arrived the way He did. This story was already written and Jesus knew the ending.  It would cost Jesus His life to save us. Jesus met our need not our want.  The people in Jerusalem on that day wanted revenge, not redemption.

Prayer for the Day: Jesus, I praise You for meeting my need and dying on the cross for me a lowly sinner.  What an amazing love for an often unloving people.  You died on a cross for my sin so that I would have a chance to live in heaven for eternity.  Thank you for Your amazing sacrifice.  

Scripture: Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.

While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

They said, “Barabbas!”

Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”

Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”

And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.  Matthew 27:15-26