Devotional - April 19, 2004

The disciples heard him but didn't have a clue what he was saying. You see, Jesus was preparing to enter the city of Jerusalem and the disciples were getting rowdy. They began to praise God in loud voice saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord." I imagine they were considering assembling an army and go in and take the Holy city for the Messiah, Israel's promised Deliverer. But their shouts gave in to misconception, sorrow and bitter disappointment with every single passing day.

Today over six million people live in an area slightly smaller than New Jersey. Israel borders the Mediterranean Sea between Egypt and Lebanon and is surrounded on the other three sides by Arab nations. The people of the those border countries unilaterally seek the downfall of Israel but the little nation of Israel is militarily superior to any of those nations. Every other nation of the world is trying to force Israel politically to surrender captured land on the West Bank of Gaza to a nonexistent nation called Palestine who likewise seeks to destroy Israel.

Hemmed in and encircled by enemies, Israel today represents a fulfillment of biblical prophecy as spoken by the Lord Jesus. Every day, this tiny nation is fighting to stay alive while keeping its enemies ay bay and out of their land. Jesus said it would be that way, but on Palm Sunday in 33 AD, no one was willing to consider his words. On a colt and riding through the Eastern Gate (also in prophecy), Jesus was welcomed to Jerusalem as a conquering king.

Don't criticize the disciples and that generation unless you're prepared to do the same for your own. Here's what I mean: How many of us have heard the word of God since we were young and have yet to do anything about what it says? We praise God one day and blame him the next. We offer praise when things are good, but moan and complain when they're not.We're no better than the palm wavers in Jerusalem. We can also be called a "conditional" praiser.

Consider what Jesus said to those who asked him to keep the noise down. "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out," Jesus replied. I don't know about you, but ain't no rock gonna praise for me! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! (Lu 19:38b)