KJV - Luke 19:37-38 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.
There is a term in politics known as “Flip-Flopping” It is a term that indicates a politicians inability, lack of courage, or unwillingness to stick to a political position. A “Flip-Flopper” will have the tendency to pander to any and all influential groups to make them believe that they share values and points of view. It is when a politician does this with diametrically opposed concepts that he is labeled a “Flip-Flopper”. For instance a politician goes to a gathering of people that oppose war and tells them that he too opposes war and then goes soon there after and vehemently agrees with a group that sees the need to take some sort of militaristic action. He has flip-flopped in his views of the use of military action.
Unfortunately, politicians do not have the market cornered on being wishy washy or flip-flopping. It happens in Christianity on a regular basis. Our text today shows one side of a major flip flop. Our text tells of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem one week before he is arrested, beaten and hung on the cross. As he comes into town, he is greeted as a conqueror coming home from a major victory. Notice their reaction.
1. The multitude Rejoiced
2. They Praised God with a loud voice (they were shouting)
3. They Celebrated Jesus’ Mighty Works (Miracles)
4. They Shouted “Blessed be the King” (that will work against him)
5. They Shouted that he came on behalf of God
For most people that claim to be followers of Jesus, this is all stuff that we can get behind. These are general concepts that we accept and would agree with. Even in the right setting, we too might shout these praises onto him.
Now for the flip side.
KJV - Luke 23:13-21 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, (14) Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: (15) No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. (16) I will therefore chastise him, and release him. (17) (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) (18) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (19) (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) (20) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. (21) But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
Just a week after he makes his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, a crowd gathers after the arrest of Jesus to hear the trial by the Romans via Pontus Pilate. PIlate questions Jesus and in verse 15 says that he did not find a crime worthy of death and was willing to release him. But the crowd intervened. Instead of praising him and celebrating his mighty works, this crowd yells: Crucify him!
Now that is wishy washy!
Some might say..surely that is a completely different crowd. Was it? Do we know that? I know of at least 12 men that were in both crowds. Is that all that was common to both?
Even if it was...where were the 12 apostles when Jesus needed defending? They were SILENT and allowed Jesus to be tried and executed without a soul defending him.
Are we equally Wishy Washy? Do we Flip-Flop our positions, values, morals and loyalties depending on who we are around? Do we pander to the world to get their approval? Do we praise Jesus’ name on Sunday and sing “Oh How I Love Jesus” during Sunday worship and then hide the rest of the week when Jesus, his will and his commands need defending?
We must know WHO we are, to whom we are loyal and be willing to go to the grave in defense of our Master!
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Reflecting His SON,
Dennis Hogan
Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ
1804 Sam Stewart Dr.
Radcliff, KY 40160
Questions, comments or further explanation? Contact me at: dennis.hogan@icloud.com
If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward
their e-mail address to me and I will add them to my mail list.
No comments:
Post a Comment