Red Letters: Conquering Humility -Pastor Josiah Elias

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghObbEMNrN4

On Palm Sunday, Pastor Tim Maxwell, the young adult pastor, led us in communion. First, he explained that “communion is an invitation for the forgiveness of sin.” Judas the betrayer was at the table, which shows that communion is an act of grace. Second, he emphasized that “proximity does not mean surrender.” Judas was with Jesus and the disciples. It was the night of Jesus’ arrest, and Judas was sharing Passover with them. He was close to the Savior, but he was not surrendered to his rabbi. Finally, “communion can soften you or expose and uproot sin.” Judas’ heart was not softened or surrendered as they shared the bread and the wine. The key question Pastor Tim posed was “Do you choose to surrender or continue sinning?” The point is “Jesus invited imperfect people to the table. He is interested in your heart.” Then we shared the bread and the juice to remind us of the Savior’s matchless sacrifice for us.

Pastor Josiah explained that FC’s mission is to culture like Christ, and our vision is Jesus. He reminded us of last week’s NexGen service and Pastor Michel’s sharing of the Gospel. This week we began with the reading of Matthew 21 where Jesus instructed two disciples,

”’Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you 

will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them 

and bring them to me.’

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken

by the prophet, saying:

‘Tell the daughter of Zion,

‘Behold, your King is coming to you, 

Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’”  

Matthew 21:5 (NLT) 

Also In Luke we read 

“So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 

And sure enough as they were untying it, the owners asked  

them,’Why are you untying that colt?’

And the disciples simply replied,’The Lord needs it.’”

Luke 19:32-34 (NLT)

The crowds mistakenly thought He would defeat Rome their oppressors. However, Jesus was’t coming to deal with Rome. He was coming to deal with sin. His sacrifice overcame sin and death. 

Jesus knew the prophecy from Zechariah penned five hundred years before.

“Rejoice, O people of Zion!

Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!

Look, your king is coming to you.

He is righteous and victorious,

yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—

riding on a donkey’s colt.”

Zechariah 9:9 (NLT)

The King of kings and Lord of lords rode a donkey into Jerusalem as the crowds waved palm branches and shouted in praise,”Hosanna!” They were shouting for the conqueror of Rome they mistakenly thought, but He came to defeat sin and death. He was dealing with the the spirit not the symptoms. If He could ride a donkey to fulfill His mission on earth, how much more me? He was willing to show humility, and He is Yahweh’s Beloved Son. 

What are you currently fighting with raised voices, fists and weapons that could only be conquered through humility and peace? Think about the battles/disagreements in which you are engaged. Is it with a coworker, a family member, or a neighbor? What weapons or tactics have you used? What is your goal in the disagreement-to win, be right, or reconciliation? May we think about humbly serving Him and His people.

Back to Palm Sunday which was a crescendo moment Jesus gained victory through humility. In contrast our culture’s focus is pride. Society tells us that we should display our success, our victories, our abilities, that we are number one. However, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (NLT) How Jesus lived gives us permission to live humbly. He waged war through humility and peace.

Pastor Josiah shared  a personal example when Ashley and he were quarreling. While Ashley went downstairs, the Lord spoke to Pastor. As he was walking down the last steps, he tripped and tumbled landing at Ashely’s feet. The slip of his feet broke the tension as he laughed uproariously, for he was humbled.

Additionally, Wednesday night Pastor Josiah spoke on Jehovah Shalom, “The Lord is our peace.“ In troubled times when we seek Him instead of focusing on our struggles, He will bring us peace. He will rescue us like He did Peter when the disciples were in the boat, and the Lord Jesus walked on the raging waves. Jesus invited Peter to get out of the boat. As Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he could walk on the choppy water, but as soon as he looked at the power of the waves, he sank. Jesus is our peace and hope. Though the world shouts at us, pulls at our sleeves, tries to steal from us, we need to stay focused on the source of love, peace, and endurance, Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

The Paramount Point is There’s a Godlike conquering power found in the one who rides the donkey not the warhorse. We need to shift our thinking and responses from our natural reaction to Jesus and how He walked. “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” Romans 16:20 (NKJV) Jehovah Shalom, the Lord of peace, has a way of lifting our obedient feet—to crush the serpent. God alone gave victory over sin and death through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

“As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him.” Luke 19:36 (NLT) The garments they lay on the dirt reflected their identity, status, and provision. In laying down their garments, they were honoring Jesus. May I lay down my identity, status, and provision to the One true King. May it be a lifetime commitment daily to follow Jesus Christ with my whole heart, mind, spirit and body. 

“Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus out of the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. That was why so many went out to meet him.” John 12:17 (NLT) In contrast religion can do nothing when the power of God testifies of who the Christ is.  

The crowds shouted,”Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Matthew 21:9 (NLT) Some of the Pharisees were appalled and chastised Jesus to stop the crowds from praising Him, and Jesus declared,”If they kept quiet the stones along the road would burst in cheers.” Luke 19:40 (NLT) Pastor Josiah emphasized,”Do not let the stones cry out louder than you do.”

 Jesus delivered a blow to hell through humility as He rode on the donkey. May we humbly surrender our hearts to Jesus and follow His example so we can be light and salt in this struggling world.

Calendar:

4/17-LB potluck, worship, and speaker Bo Quillar in the Activity Center at 6:00pm

Blessings,

Larry and Annette