When I encountered this verse today, I immediately remembered the song “Open Our Eyes Lord.” It was written in 1976 by Bob Cull, became one of the favorite worship songs of the 80’s and is still famously used as the intro to David Jeremiah’s teaching. But the question put before us this morning is more than even the one that Jesus asked Bartimaeus just before his healing, “What do you want me to do for you?” Today’s challenge is, “What would I do if God helped me to see Jesus right now?” – Would I worship and be thankful? Go home and sing His praises? Or would I do as Bartimaeus did and follow Jesus along the way?
Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. Luke 21:1-3 ESV
On this, His final day of public ministry, Jesus took the time to praise the offering of a widow. Among the crowds at the temple that day, she was probably considered the least important by most people. Few would have even noticed as she quietly slipped her two coins into the charity box. But everyone saw the rich men as they carried in their gifts with great fanfare. At the sound of their silver and gold coins clanking into the box people were oohing and aahing about how much they gave. But Jesus was not impressed with their money. He did not care about their spectacular performance or false religiosity. Yet He took time to see this widow just before He sat down for His last meal. He pointed her out for all of us to see, because she had come and humbly given with all of her heart. Then He broke the bread and gave the cup and gave His own life for you and for me.
This week is Palm Sunday, and though we cannot be certain that we are celebrating on an exact date, or even as some question whether we should have a special holiday; it is a good time to reflect. On what we refer to as Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, so that we would not be afraid to receive Him as King. But, no matter how He came, not everyone was ready to accept Jesus. How are you going to receive Him today?
The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!”Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.” John 12:12-15 NLT
Some received Him with joy and gratitude and followed Him to the cross
Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.”And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27
Jesus gave these people a special job to do
2) Some Received Him With Joy – but they ran to hide in fear
Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day.But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled. Matthew 26:55-56 NLT
Jesus came looking for these people and said, “Do not be afraid!” – And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Luke 24:36 NLT
3) Some Did Not Receive Him at All and they nailed Him to a cross
When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” Luke 23:47NLT
Jesus prayed for those people – Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. Lk 23:34
But no matter which of these people you are today, we are really not so different.
We all need to receive Him for ourselves and believe that He is the Son of God
We all need the cross of Christ for the forgiveness of our sins
We all need the resurrection morning that will give us eternal life!How Will You Receive Jesus Christ Today?
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