The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:

“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!”

John 12:12-13 NKJV

If Jesus entered your city today in a triumphal procession, would you hear shouts of Hosanna? Would praise ascend to heaven? Or would the crowd insist on crucifying Him in less than a week, just like in Jerusalem?

Whispers ran throughout the crowd. Why did the King of the Jews ride a lowly donkey? Kings ride white gallant steeds. Maybe He will acquire kingly etiquette after He frees us.

Jesus proceeded to speak about His death. When He told them, He must be lifted up, signifying death by crucifixion, they reconsidered Him as their king. Their Messiah would live forever. How could Jesus Christ be the King of Israel if He was put to death? How could He be their military strong arm? How could a dead king conquer nations? How could He deliver them from the bondage of Rome?

The Jewish people wanted a king who could help them like a president in the United States helps us. They wanted someone to fix their economics, but they didn’t want anyone to rule their spending. No, Jesus, help us out of financial bondage, but don’t tell me to tithe. Don’t tell me how to spend my money. You’re not the boss of me.

The Jews wanted a king to free and protect them, but they didn’t want someone setting the tone for their personal lives. Make our streets safe, but don’t dictate what I watch on TV. Don’t worry about how much time I spend on Facebook and the minuscule time I spend reading my Bible. Not to mention my prayerless prayer life. You’re not the boss of me.

Jesus warned them to believe in the light while the light was with them (John 12:35-36). We must heed that warning today.

Has Jesus made His triumphal entry into your heart? Do you know Him as Lord and Savior? The Jewish people wanted a savior, but not a Lord. As Dr. Tony Evans says, “If Jesus isn’t Lord of all, He isn’t Lord at all.”

Palm Sunday is a good time to prayerfully reflect on our lives. Ask God to show us the areas in which we say, “You’re not the boss of me.”

Is it our personal spending habits? Our homes? On the job? The manner in which we spend our time? Is there any sin in our lives?

I fear we are much like those Jews two thousand years ago. We want Jesus to make our lives better, but is He really ruling our world?

Christian, we must permit the King of kings to rule every aspect of our lives. We must allow the Lord of lords to be Lord of our world. Jesus, You are the boss of me.

Lord Jesus, forgive us for disobediently shutting the doors to parts of our lives. Today, we humbly seek forgiveness for not letting You in. We ask You to help us live with You as Lord of our lives. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read John 12:12-36.

HIKING THE TRAIL

Examine your life. Ask God to show you areas where you refuse to give Him control. Then ask God to forgive you as you submit your entire life over to Him.

Copyright 2019 Carolyn Dale Newell.

Originally posted on August 12, 2020 @ 7:52 pm