Desert Journey – Day 35
We are a fickle people. How did we go from Hosanna, Hosanna to Crucify him, Crucify him? From spreading cloaks and palm branches on the road to Jerusalem, to nails and a cross at Golgotha? How did we go from honor to disgrace? Are we unpredictable?
How unpredictable am I? Pondering… Am I the one who yells Hosanna or Crucify? Albeit, those are two ends of the spectrum, but there is a lot of territory between sin and holiness. I suppose the middle would be indifference.
How could they despise you so much Lord that they would spit on you? Such a display of insult and degradation. The spitting was so striking yesterday as I heard the gospel proclaimed.
Our desert time is drawing to a close. I don’t want Jesus to go. Our pace has slowed, as what approaches is imminent. The heaviness and gravity of the matter can be tangibly felt. How did you endure, Lord? Love.
It is hard to fathom this kind of love, really. A love that lays down its life for another. For how many would I lay down my life? For how many, I ask myself.
Holiness or sin, hosanna or crucify, these are my daily choices. Or I can settle in the camp of indifference. Jesus, help me to be holy.
I was pondering the very same thing… could I lay down my life for another. Could I bear the belittling and rebuke that Jesus endured without saying a word? Without trying to defend myself?
I could only do that if he were totally present within me. My part is allowing him total access to my heart, total access to his cleansing and purging all that hinders his love from flowing out unimpeded. Still much to ponder this week…
It is a heavy week, this one. Much to ponder; a heart filled with sadness, regret, even shame. Keeping my heart tuned to grace is essential.