The Gift Poured Out April 14

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 21:6-11

  (A few days later, after Jesus was arrested)  

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

Matthew 27:20-23

 

First, the crowds gathered to praise Jesus as He entered Jerusalem. They shouted, “Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!” When asked, “Who is this?” They answered, “Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” They didn’t understand the whole truth of Who Jesus was, “The Messiah! The Son of God!” They hadn’t opened their hearts to the whole truth. They were stuck in their own way of thinking, caught up in their feelings toward this prophet. They liked to listen to Jesus when He spoke to them. They were amazed when He miraculously healed people. But, sadly their hearts weren’t completely open to the full truth.
 
So it’s not surprising that soon after their praises were shouted out to Jesus, came their shouts of, “Crucify Him!” The crowd listened to the words of the chief priests and elders and turned against Jesus. They were deceived, drawn away from the truth by their own way of thinking and feeling.
 
Where are you with Jesus? Are you watching from afar, like the crowd of people in our verses today? Has your heart been closed to the truth of Who Jesus really is? I encourage you to open your heart to Him, step out of the crowd and into Your Savior’s waiting arms of love.
 

Scripture Inspired Prayer

Jesus, You are The Messiah, The Son of God. There is no one like You! I am ready to step out of the crowd and into a relationship with You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me for sinning and living my life in rebellion against You. Come into my heart and be my Savior and Lord over my life. Thank You!
 
(If you prayed this prayer, let someone know about your new relationship with Jesus. Begin reading your Bible and praying every day. I would also encourage you to begin going to a church that humbly follows Jesus’ teachings from the Bible.)