Going Up In Flames... Praise Soon Fades

GOING UP IN FLAMES… HOW SOON CAN PRAISE FADE?

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)

In this lesson we go from the PASSOVER to JERUSALEM via the avenue of praise to the road of crucify.

TEXT:

John 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

Linda and I had the honor to walk THE WAY OF SORROWS, the VIA DOLOROUS. The VIA DOLOROUS has 14 stations along the path leading from Jerusalem to GOLGOTHA. Today people stop at these 14 stations and pray and remember the WAY OF SORROWS… The stops include from where Jesus is condemned, to Jesus carrying his cross, to where Jesus meets Mary his mother, to where Simon of Cyrene helps carry Jesus’ cross. (ETC)

We know his journey goes through GETHSEMANE, the olive garden where Jesus prayed UNTIL HIS SWEAT BECAME AS GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD… Father if there is another way, let THIS CUP PASS FROM ME… THE CROSS MUST HELP US REALIZE SUFFERING IS PART OF LIFE.

We call Jesus’ 7th visit into Jerusalem the TRIUMPHAL ENTRY. Jesus was welcomed by the cry of the people. If we willingly follow Jesus we will allow him permanent dwelling in our hearts and minds. The crowds gathered not only to welcome God’s son they gathered in UNITY, LOVE AND PRAISE BUT SOON THE CRIES WILL CHANGE…

JESUS HAD JUST FINISHED WASHING THE FEET OF THE DISCIPLES AND PARTAKING OF BROKEN BREAD AND THE CRUSHED GRAPES… SYMBOLIC OF WHAT WAS COMING…

The communion and foot washing clearly speaks of humility, loving one another and action in service.

HOW SOON CAN THE PRAISE FADE INTO THE ARREST OF JESUS, THEN THE MOCKERY OF A TRIAL? WE GO FROM HOSANNA, PRAISE AND GLORY TO THE MASSES CRY CRUCIFY, CRUCIFY.

THERE IS A TRADITION OF THE PALM BRANCHES AND LEAVES… THE PALM’S LEAVES ARE GATHERED TOGETHER TO BE BURNED… WHEN IT IS OVER. HOW QUICK CAN THE PRAISE TURN TO ASHES… THEN THOSE THAT BURN THE PALM BRANCHES OFTEN SAVE THE ASHES FOR ASH WEDNESDAY NEXT YEAR.

JESUS NEEDED ME… MY GRAMPS SAID: JESUS NEEDED ME…

I live in the country. I was walking one day passed my neighbor’s farm. He has many cows in the field. To help protect the cattle they keep a few donkeys in the field. It is thought if a coyote comes into the field the donkeys will kick the coyotes and protect the cattle. Donkeys are used to be guardians. On this day it was very hot. I found a shade near the field and sat down. A donkey comes near me and he just stood there and stared at me. I know little of animals. I really enjoyed looking at the donkey. Most know donkeys have a cross on their backs. I sat there resting and I talked to the donkey. I told him I liked him and thought she was a pretty donkey.

In my mind, I started thinking about donkeys and it seemed the donkey was speaking to me. He told me he came from a long line of donkeys. I said: That’s neat. He told me he had an ancestor that had a really dumb owner. He said the dumb owner was a preacher. He said: my great, great, great, great, great (down the line) was famous and the record of his donkey ancestor history is recorded in the Bible. The donkey told me the preacher was looking for profit and popularity and sold out to some enemies of God. The preacher saddled up my great grandfather and was riding him to curse God’s people. Grandfather saw an angel with a weapon drawn to kill the preacher. The older preacher could not see the danger, but GRAMPS could. His owner got out a whip and was being mean because GRAMPS would not go through the GAP. Balaam beats by grandfather and grandpa refuse to move. BALAAM WAS SO MEAN, GRAMPS FELL OVER AND CRUSHED HIS MASTER’S FOOT. The donkey said: YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE ME BUT GOD OPENED GRAMPS MOUTH AND HE SAID: BALAAM, WHY ARE YOU WHIPPING ME? HAVEN’T I BEEN A GOOD DONKEY AND CARRIED YOU TO ALL YOUR APPOINTMENTS… BALAAM then tells GRAMPS I WOULD KILL YOU ON THE SPOT IF I HAD A SWORD. Gramps was afraid and he told Balaam I have tried to go forward 3 times and I SEE A BIG ANGEL. IF I HAD KEPT WALKING THAT ANGEL WAS GOING TO KILL YOU DEADER THAN A DOOR NAIL. God opened Balaam’s eyes and he saw. Balaam repented and said he was sorry to my ancestor.