[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Palm Sunday is one of the most important events in the history of Christianity. It commemorates the celebration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem, the same streets that He would be forced to carry the cross through one week later.
In Luke 19, the people welcomed Jesus into the city with praise to honor him as the Messiah and King.
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
This verse shows Jesus arriving not on horse but on a donkey, which was contrary to the way kings and nobles would traditionally enter a city.
However, it’s the perfect picture of how Jesus does things, He never comes how we expect Him to come; but He always comes with a purpose.
In Revelation 19:11, John the apostle describes how Jesus will return:
“Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.”
It’s important to be mindful of the signs and there is an awakening happening right now in the church. We can sense the Lord approaching and whenever he draws near this is what happens:
1. There is always an entourage.
Just before the Lord comes there is always a great commotion. There is always a dryness, always a rumbling, and always a stirring in the hearts of the people He’s calling.
There will always be people asking questions why things are happening the way they are in the world. There will always be a cry deep down in the hearts of his people to return.
2. God never comes the way you think He will.
The Lord comes however he wants to come, but he does so in order to get past your dignity filter. Jesus God will work His way past your pride to bring his power.
3. The Lord comes near because worship makes the way.
Our church is a house of worship and may we always have a truly spontaneous praise rising up for our King. Worship is not just lights, graphics, and precise instrumentation, true worship comes from the whole church lifting up their voices in a loud declaration before God.
4. When the Lord comes near the earth shakes.
When the Lord comes, he always brings truth. The world may not be ready to handle the truth that God brings, but it’s always relevant, timely, and needed.
Just like it says in Psalm 99:1,
“The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.”
As the world drifts away from the Lord we fall into greater darkness. There is a crying out… then God visits us again. You may not know who He is, or how He’ll come…but He’s coming.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
New Life Podcast
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Check out the full message from Pastor Steve Boyce “Rider Approaching”.
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