A New Beginning

Photo by David Ilona

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks. You, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” Mark 11:1-3 NIV

The moment had finally arrived; all the years of watching, listening, learning, and sacrificing were finally over. The twelve disciples were witnessing the unfolding of the promised kingdom. They must have been smiling and high-fiving each other as they watched the crowd grow larger and larger, thrilled by the moment as they heard the crowd shouting:

Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!

Hosanna in the highest heaven! (Mark 11:9b-10 NIV)

Churches around the world celebrated Palm Sunday yesterday as Holy Week started, leading up to Easter. The twelve disciples would go through a life-changing week after this triumphant entry into Jerusalem. What they thought would happen was not how Jesus ever intended it to be. This week would reveal their hearts, and by the end, challenge them until they truly understood the nature of Jesus’ kingdom.

“There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.” (Oscar Romero). It was through eyes of tears that all twelve finished the week. Each of the twelve would run and hide, overwhelmed by their failures. Although all would fail initially, eleven of the disciples would find redemption and restoration through grace. One would run, but not to Jesus. Judas would seek restoration on his own terms by going to the religious leaders instead of to the source of grace, Jesus. Though embarrassed, discouraged, hopeless, and afraid, the other eleven disciples found redemption and went on to become the world changers Jesus prayed they would become.

Do you ever feel your faith is fragile? Like you’re hanging on by a thread, questioning if you have enough. These twelve disciples, close friends and followers of Jesus, felt the same way. The week brought them panic, but it ended with hope when they realized their strength was not in their own faith, but in their Savior.

The events of the week were slowly unfolding. The act of betrayal was set in motion as “Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money.” (Luke 22:4-5) The act of worship was set in motion as “Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” (Luke 22:8). Same week, different actions, yet all for the purpose of the Kingdom.

Passover, this foundational celebration, has been celebrated through the generations to remind them of God’s deliverance and protection. Freedom came after 430 years through an act of faith. “Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe….When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.” (Exodus 12:22-23)

The story is told of two men on the night of Passover, one was afraid, the other excited. Each man followed the instructions given without any compromise. The blood had been placed carefully on the doorpost, and although both men did what God told them, one man had doubts. Which one lost his son that night? Neither! Death doesn’t pass over them based on the intensity of their faith but on the ground of the blood of the lamb.

That night marked the beginning of a new life, not because of what anyone did, but what God did. The same became true for us at Easter because of Jesus. Faith isn’t about what we do but about the Who of our faith. Even a weak faith in a perfect Savior saves completely. “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading…The life of faith is not a life of mounting up with wings, but a life of walking and not fainting.” (Oswald Chambers)

Jesus gathered his disciples together as every faithful Jew had done since that first Passover. He would celebrate the Passover with his followers, but after this night, future Passovers would never be the same again. “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29)

The crowd’s euphoria gave way by the end of the week to the shouts of an angry mob. The disciples who had pledged their unwavering devotion all retreated to their hiding places. The religious and political powers joined forces to destroy what they saw as a threat to their authority. What seemed like a complete failure for Jesus on the surface was anything but. Darkness fell over the land, the temple curtains were torn in two, and Jesus’ cry of victory was heard: “It is finished.” It was a week filled with incredible highs and heartbreaking lows, but it ended with hope that changed lives.

“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!” Mark 16:6

Rejoicing this Easter for He is risen!

God is great!