On Sunday, we are going to celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, Palm Sunday. It is part of God’s plan of salvation.
This was announced by the prophet (Zechariah 9:9), where he says, “Rejoice greatly, O my people! Your King is coming! Riding on a donkeys colt!”. That celebration was planned for, in advance, the preparations were completed, and we aregiven some clues concerning God’s plan: Jesus sent His disciples to get the donkey, instructing them, if anyone asks you what you are doing tell them, “the Lord sent you.” And just like that, it happened, what a coincidence… be careful with coincidences! It is better to pay attention when you are part of situations like this one.
There are no Random acts. They are part of a process. They are part of life’s lessons!
A little bit further up (v.35), James and John try to take advantage of their closeness to Jesus, so they ask Him for power, “arrange for us to get a good seat in the kingdom of heaven, one to the right and the other to the left,” however they missed the target. We often miss the target as we sometimes push for a position, ask, and even pray for things that are not according to God’s will, which is not possible or not appropriate for us. We sell our integrity; we puff ourselves up with our desires of relevance and importance, and we forget that our role model is Jesus. He walked as a servant, lived as a servant, and when we follow Him, we must do the same. Because if we don’t, our life doesn’t work out according to God’s will for us, and we wonder why?
Mark 10:41-45, 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Whoever wants to be first or great must become a servant. That is what Jesus the Son of God has done. He came to serve, not to be served. And then to give His life in exchange for the many who are held hostage. Who are we? Where are we? Where are we going?
Mark 10-46-52 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” It looks like a random situation, a blind man sitting on the side of the road, then Jesus comes along. What are the chances? The blind man recognizes the situation and acknowledges Jesus’ presence and power, and says: “Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowd, as they often do, tries to keep him down, “Don’t interrupt our journey; there is no healing for you; you are blind, you are a beggar.” But the blind man shouted even louder, “have mercy on me!” He was paying attention, and when the opportunity presented itself, he acted. And Jesus Heard Him!
Often, the Lord of Heaven is at our side setting up beautiful sunrises and breathtaking sunsets, which were made especially for us, as opportunities to experience the beauty of creation and His power.
Are we paying attention and seeing them?
Job 12:7 “but ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you.”
I would add; ask the monarch butterfly how she felt when she was a caterpillar? Look at creation, don’t miss it, for it will tell you, and it will teach you. Creation worships God. Do you? How many sunrises have you watched lately? Sometimes we pass by them, ignoring them. We are busy… or what about spring with the flowers, fall with red and yellow colors… and so on. The blind man heard Jesus was passing by. He began to cry out, and he would not miss the blessing, the opportunity to be healed. He didn’t! The disciples felt they were entitled to position and missed the chance to learn how to be servants.
You see, the passing by of God in our lives is not random. Just as you are not random, just as the whole of creation is not random, the Lord, the creator of Heaven and Earth, has a plan to pass by you and everyone who believes in Him and has faith in Him. He wants to allow you and me to experience His Power. To experience wonder, to experience joy, to experience His presence. And this, like the triumphal entry in Jerusalem, has all been planned since the beginning.
What do you want for your life?
James and John ask for power and the honored seats of power sitting at the right and left of the Lord.
The blind man stated I want to see, and I want to be healed.
What do you want? I pray that the Lord will touch you today as He passes by you and that He will heal your soul. (v.52)
That His plan comes through for you.
Enjoy the sunrise and the sunset, the flowers, the animals, and everything in Creation. It is all for you, made by the Master, for you to experience His love and care.
If somebody asks you to make sure you say: The Lord has a plan for my life, that is to enjoy the life He has given me. To glorify Him and be blessed by Him. To bring honor to Him with my thoughts, with my actions, and my words. Don’t miss the chance to worship and serve Him today!
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest!” Matthew 21:9
written by Major Silvano Diaz, ARC Command, USA East
