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.
Back in the field here, the donkey walked away from me and was eating the grass. He turned and came back to the shade. The donkey said, you didn’t laugh at me for telling you a DONKEY TALKED. Of course not donkey, you are talking to me and I believe you. The donkey then bowed his head and humbled himself. He told me his most famous ancestor lived in Jerusalem. This donkey served his master well. My great, great, great… uncle had never carried a human being before. One day in town his master tied him to a hitching post and went away to do his business. A GREAT CALMNESS AND PEACE CAME OVER MY DONKEY’S FAMILY. Two men came up and untied me. I was not afraid they assured me they were not stealing me. I HEARD THE MEN SAY: THE LORD NEEDS ME… Well this uncle said he was so excited. THE LORD NEEDED HIM. Uncle Donkey said: The Lord was so nice. It was my pleasure to carry him to town. Uncle said they put blankets over me and started yelling: HOSANA, HOSANA, and PRAISE THE LORD. GLORY TO GOD ON THE HIGHEST. Uncle said he was not afraid of the noise, it was precious. There seemed to be comfort and love all around. At first uncle thought all the noise was about him, then he realized the praise was not for a donkey… UNCLE SAID HE WAS CARRYING GOD’S ONLY SON. Uncle said: it was the greatest honor of all the ancestors to carry JESUS INTO JERUSALEM FOR HIS 7TH ENTRANCE. Uncle said he heard some say: THIS IS THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRANCE. Uncle said IT WAS THE BEST DAY OF HIS WHOLE LIFE. Uncle said: the people threw their coats and palm leaves down in front of him.
Luke 19:28And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
DONKEY SAID: I HEARD WHISPERING: MAKE THEM BE QUIET? SOMETHING WAS SAID ABOUT THE ROCKS. AFTER MY UNCLE DONKEY MET THE NEED OF THE LORD AND HAVING HEARD ALL THE PRAISE… HE COULD HEAR WHISPERING IN THE CROWD AS JESUS WALKED AWAY…
Luke 19:39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
IT IS TOLD UNCLE DONKEY COULD HEAR LOUD, LOUD SCREAMING DOWN BY THE COURT HOUSE. THE CROWD SAID MEAN THINGS I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND… THEY WERE SCREAMING CRUCIFY… DONKEY SAID HE UNDERSTOOD JESUS WAS INNOCENT, GOD’S ONLY SON.
Luke 23:20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. 21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. 22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
They said UNCLE DONKEY CRIED WHEN HE HEARD THAT CRUCIFY MEANT TO PUT SOMEONE TO DEATH. Uncle donkey wandered why would a human punish another human?
CONCLUSION: I have not completed my lessons. But I have learned how soon PRAISE can turn into the call to CRUCIFY. My goal is very simple. I MUST KNOW HIM IN HIS FULLNESS.
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
IN LOVE I MUST PRAISE GOD… I WANT NO ROCKS CRYING OUT FOR ME… IN LOVE I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST.
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
