Luke 1:35-38
As I write this devotion, we are a week into the war against the Islamic government of Iran. The goal is to remove a government that has been sponsoring terrorism since 1979. The Iranian people have been under an evil repressive dictatorship for 47 years. The Iranian people want freedom, the freedom to live in peace and security. The freedom to learn, speak, and move about without the government’s permission. Continue to pray that God will protect our service members and bring them home safe. Pray for wisdom and guidance for political and military leaders as they make important decisions that could set up peace and stability in the region.
As the Iranian people long for freedom, we see the Jewish people longing to put off the bonds of a repressive dictatorship. The Romans had placed heavy restrictive and humiliating burdens on the Jewish people and they wanted freedom. They direct this desire towards Jesus. A miracle worker, powerful teacher of the Word, and one who had the respect and credibility to speak to the elites and everyday people. The time is now; Jesus can free us from the political and physical repression! They reason, chants pick up steam, and many more people join in the celebration of this savior, this Messiah who will bring change.
500 years earlier the prophet Zachariah prophesied this very event. Zachariah describes this event perfectly, getting all the details right. Salvation was coming, but not the political kind. Rather a much more important salvation. Salvation from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus came to conquer death, the one thing that all of humanity would experience. This salvation would require the life of the King as payment for the penalty of sin. Jesus was the only one who was perfect and could fulfill the requirements of the law.
The chants of the crowds that day in Jerusalem correctly proclaim Jesus’ royalty and the praise He deserved. They just didn’t understand that they needed a spiritual Savior as much as they needed a physical Savior. Freedom in this world is for a time but freedom from the bondage of sin is eternal through belief in Jesus. The crowds at this time misunderstood and many of these same people who were yelling “Blessed is the King”, would by the end of the week be shouting “Crucify Him!.”
This week as you prepare for Good Friday and Easter, will you praise Jesus and give Him the glory He deserves? Understanding the magnitude of the sacrifice He made for our freedom and Salvation. Be in awe of the love Jesus has shared with you. Jesus is worthy of your passionate pursuit of Him and His will for your life. Worship your King and pray for His soon return!
As the Iranian people long for freedom, we see the Jewish people longing to put off the bonds of a repressive dictatorship. The Romans had placed heavy restrictive and humiliating burdens on the Jewish people and they wanted freedom. They direct this desire towards Jesus. A miracle worker, powerful teacher of the Word, and one who had the respect and credibility to speak to the elites and everyday people. The time is now; Jesus can free us from the political and physical repression! They reason, chants pick up steam, and many more people join in the celebration of this savior, this Messiah who will bring change.
500 years earlier the prophet Zachariah prophesied this very event. Zachariah describes this event perfectly, getting all the details right. Salvation was coming, but not the political kind. Rather a much more important salvation. Salvation from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus came to conquer death, the one thing that all of humanity would experience. This salvation would require the life of the King as payment for the penalty of sin. Jesus was the only one who was perfect and could fulfill the requirements of the law.
The chants of the crowds that day in Jerusalem correctly proclaim Jesus’ royalty and the praise He deserved. They just didn’t understand that they needed a spiritual Savior as much as they needed a physical Savior. Freedom in this world is for a time but freedom from the bondage of sin is eternal through belief in Jesus. The crowds at this time misunderstood and many of these same people who were yelling “Blessed is the King”, would by the end of the week be shouting “Crucify Him!.”
This week as you prepare for Good Friday and Easter, will you praise Jesus and give Him the glory He deserves? Understanding the magnitude of the sacrifice He made for our freedom and Salvation. Be in awe of the love Jesus has shared with you. Jesus is worthy of your passionate pursuit of Him and His will for your life. Worship your King and pray for His soon return!
Posted in Devotional