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| Rev'd G. S. Adeyemo |
Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. Matthew 21: 1-17
Introduction
To God be the glory in the highest. Our God works in mysterious ways which no man can hinder. He created this day to be unique and hallowed. It is unique not because you are locked down in your house because of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic that is plaguing the world today. It is unique because of the accomplishment of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary about 2000 years ago.
This Sunday is referred to as Palm Sunday or the triumphal Sunday. It is to commemorate the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and the Temple before the crucifixion. There were great events that took place during that week preceding the crucifixion of Jesus as recorded in the passage of the Bible under consideration. our focus will be on two.
Observations
First is the manifestation of Jesus’ authority over possessions vs 1-11. He sent his disciples to a village next to Bethphage to bring a colt for Him to ride. His authority was unquestionable. He has authority over all property. If you think you have any possession and you are puffed up, I urge you in the name of Jesus Christ to humble yourself. The owner of the colt willingly released to the disciples for the use of our Lord Jesus Christ. While He enters the city, people were throwing down clothes, leaves, fronds and tree branches in His honour.
Do you know, what you possess belong to the Supreme Owner? –God. He has the final say over your position, possession and life. Now that we are faced with serious pandemic which results in lockdown and hardship for many families, I urge you to share whatever opportunity God gives you with the less privileged, and the poor. God is asking you to give Him through them. “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17 Good News Translation puts it this way, “When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the LORD, and the LORD will pay you back.” Whatever you give to the poor is sent to God through them and God is going to reward you.
Second, Jesus showed His Divinity in the Temple vs12-13. Jesus’ showed forth His authority over worship and power to restore sanity to the gathering of the people of God. “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.” v12 Those who exploit worshipers and commercialized the forgiveness of sinners and the worship of God were driven out of the Temple by Jesus Christ. I feel in my spirit that those of us who pay attention to population and income in our places of worship should learn lesson from this period of lockdown that we are compelled to preach to empty pews. Jesus says, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4: 23, 24. our worship should transcend the physical accomplishments. let our goal be to making the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our LORD. Give Jesus Christ to the world and the world will be at peace.
Conclusion
Jesus came in human form to share in our suffering but through His divinity conquered and ready to rule your life if you allow Him. He wants you to humble yourself as you offer your possession, position and privileges to honour God the original owner of whatever you have. The Lord wants you to recognize Him as your sole object of worship. Do not put yoursslef or anything in His place. Stop drawing attention to yourself. Let others see Jesus in you and through you. As you give your life and all to Him you will be blessed in Jesus name.
