30 Mar 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a house of prayer for all people, a public bazaar, a source of extortion, accepted on my altar, all praise to Jesus, an ungodly operation in the temple, become a den of robbers in your eyes, burnt offerings and sacrfices, cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, Christian witness, christianity, divine aid, do damage to the evil doers, ease the pain of the many, even I have seen it saith the Lord, faith, faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers, get with the programme, gross perversion, have ye never read, holy spirit, Hosanna to the son of David, humble ourselves, humble servants, it is written, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus Christ, Jesus healed the blind and the lame in the temple, Jesus is all we have need of, Jesus went into the temple of God, Jesus' cleansing of the temple, Jesus' disdain for the corruption of organized religion, Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, keep your promise to prosper us, leaving them with their mouths hanging open, life and strong faith in Christ, LOVE, made it into a den of thieves, make them joyful in my house of prayer, mercy, my house shall be called the house of prayer, not up to scratch, ordained strength because of thine enemies, our Father who art in heaven, out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, overthrew the tables of the money changers, Palm Sunday, praise Your Holy Name, pray, priests out for personal gain, publicly acknowledged as the Messiah, put the Jewish leaders in their place, salvation, set godly standards, silence the enemy, sincere repentance in our hearts, sincerely seek God's face, sinned and seriously disobeyed your word, sore displeased, suffering from negative situations, temple doves sold for sacrifices, thank you this Monday morning, the BIBLE, the chief priests and pharisees, the children crying in the temple, the God who heals, the mass confusion in our world, the only one to solve our problems, the power of God, the power to solve our problems, the purity of life, the seats of them that sold doves, the throne of grace, this house which is called by my name, thou hast perfected praise, to alleviate our problems, tolerated such gross perversion of the temple, truth, turn from our evil ways, wisdom, wise guidance and direction
Matthew 21:13. And he said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it into a den of thieves.
And so, after celebrating Psalm Sunday, Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem like the King He is, on a never ridden donkey, with all the celebration that engendered, we come right back to Monday, another opening day in a new week of work! What can be more disheartening eh? (smile) But remember as Bruh Paul admonishes, if you want to eat, you ought to work, (2 Thess. 3:10) so we must get with the programme if we want to be successful in this life.
Anyway, here’s another interesting and glorious achievement that Jesus apparently accomplished on that first Palm Sunday. Matthew writes: ‘And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast (drove) out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew (overturned) the tables of the money changers, and the seats of then that sold doves. And he said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it into a den of thieves.’ (Matt. 21:12-13)
Yes friends, Jesus could get angry enough to do damage to the evil doers in the temple. And the scholars explain that ‘A similar cleansing is recorded at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, (cf. John 2:13-22) indicating His disdain for the corruption of organized religion which lacked purity of life and the power of God. In light of the seriousness of what He had come to do, Jesus could not tolerate such gross perversion of the temple, meaning the whole temple area on Mount Moriah including all the precincts and courts.’
Brother! To get Jesus so angry, it must have been a big, ungodly operation throughout the temple. Now, here is another explanation from the scholars, per the Moneychangers, that tells us of the scale of the wrongdoing going on back then in the Lord’s house. They say: ‘Temple dues could be paid only in sacred coinage, and it was necessary to change one’s money. The selling of doves was for purposes of sacrifice. This exchange became a source of extortion for the family of the high priest, who personally controlled it. In reality the atmosphere amounted to a public bazaar.’
Ah Lord eh! And the priests were the ones who were supposed to set godly standards. But come to think of it, that’s not so different from nowadays, where many priests are gouging their own congregations and those they deal with for personal gain. And per It is written, the scholars write: ‘In His condemnation, the Lord quotes from the Greek Septuagint version of Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11.’ And we shall squeeze in those two verses for our elucidation. (smile)
The first one says: ‘Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.’ (Is. 56:7) Then the passage from Jeremiah states: ‘Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord.’ (Jer. 7:11)
However, Jesus’ cleansing of the temple was not the last action in the temple for that day, for Matthew graciously informs us: ‘And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the son of David, they were sore displeased (indignant), And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings (nursing infants) thou hast perfected praise.? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.’ (Matt. 21:14-17)
Wow! Jesus Himself seemed to like the drama that went on between the Jewish religious leaders and Himself. He must have taken great joy in putting them in their place when they brought their nonsense to Him. And by the way, that quote about praise from the mouths of babes and sucklings seems to be another concoction of Jesus from Ps. 8:2, where Bruh David writes: ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings (nursing infants) hast thou ordained (established) strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still (silence) the enemy and the avenger.’
Then there’s this verse where Jesus prays: ‘I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.’ (Matt. 11:25) So friends, Palm Sunday was indeed a good day for Jesus: He accomplished three…no four things that day. First, He was publicly acknowledged as the Messiah; secondly, He cleansed the temple of the ole crooks and them, then He healed those that needed healing, and finally, He put the Jewish leaders in their place, before walking out and leaving them with their mouths hanging open!
All praise to Jesus our wonderful Lord and Saviour. And having said all of that, let’s now go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid, to help in these turbulent times. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world.
Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems.
Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’
Now, if we want to truly receive divine aid, we need to increase our Christian witness, because it is definitely not up to scratch, otherwise our world would not be is such a terrible evil and ungodly state! Much LOVE!
… Jesus is the One and Only necessity we have need of…our lives are completely fulfilled with His wonderful presence in them…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
29 Mar 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a big day in Christianity, a very great multitude spread their garments in the way, all the city was moved saying Who is this, all the tribes Hosanna cry, and if any man say ought unto you, and when he was come into Jerusalem, bethpage, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord, bow thy meek head to mortal pain, death waiting in the wings, declaring the end from the beginning, faith, from ancient times the things are not yet done, go into the village opposite you, having salvation, he is just, holy spirit, Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to the son of David, I will do all my pleasure, in a place where two ways met, in lowly pomp ride on to die, Jesus arrives in full declaration of His kingship, Jesus Christ, Jesus officially offered himself to Israel, Jesus' thousand year reign on earth, Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, joyful, King of Kings, look down with sad and wondeing eyes, loose them and bring them unto me, Lord of Lords, LOVE, loved anointed son, lowly backgrounds, majestic entrance, mercy, my counsel shall stand, O Saviour meek, others cut down branches from trees, over captive death and conquered sin, Palm Sunday, pursue thy road, put their clothes on them, rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion, remember the former things of old, Ride On ride on in majesty, riding on the colt of an ass marked the official entry of Israel's kings, riding upon an ass, salvation, scintillating, shout O daughter of Jerusalem, slated for a sacrificial death, spread them in the road, straightway he will send them, straightway ye shall find an ass and a colt with her, strawed them in the way, sweet sacrifices of praise, take O God Thy power and reign, tears of sadness, tell ye daughter of Sion, ters of joy, that it might be fulfilled, the angle hosts beyond the sky, the assurance of power in Jesus' directive, the assurance of prophecy, the BIBLE, the foal of an ass, the last and fiercest strife is nigh, the long awaited Messiah, the Lord hath need of them, the Mount of Olives, the multitude said, the multitudes cried, the prophecy of Isaiah, there is none like me, they brought the ass and the colt, they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, they set Jesus thereon, this is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee, thy Father on the sapphire throne, thy king cometh unto thee, thy triumpgs now begin, to see the approaching sacrifice, truth, upon a colt, weighed down with sadness, what do ye loosing the colt, which was spoken by the prophet, wisdom, with palms and scattered garments strewed, Zechariah's prophecy re Palm Sunday
Matthew 21:9b. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Come on down my fellow believers, it’s Sunday, and one of the big days in our faith. You cannot afford to miss this glorious day we call Palm Sunday when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ made His triumphant kingly entry into the city of Jerusalem! And it all began with a prophecy that was backed up by God’s Spoken and Purposed Will, as was declared by the prophet Isaiah. ‘Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.’ (Is. 46:9-10)
Right there friends, we have the assurance that all of the prophecy in the Bible will eventually come through, because the Lord said so. And He has no cause to lie. (smile) And we’ll prove the accuracy of those statements right now with this prophecy from Zechariah, re Psalm Sunday. The prophet reassures his people. ‘Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold thy king cometh unto thee: he is just (righteous) and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.’ (Zech, 9:9)
Thus said Zechariah many years before Jesus appeared on earth. And here’s how Matthew describes the reality of the situation on that amazing Sunday morning, some two thousand years ago. ‘And when they (Jesus and the disciples) drew nigh (near) unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethpage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against (opposite) you, and straightway ye shall find and ass (donkey) tied, and a colt with her: loose (untie) them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought (anything) unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.’ (Matt. 21:1-3)
Yes friends, we can see the assurance of power in Jesus’ directive. There was no hemming and hawing about them getting the donkey and its colt, just say that the Lord needed them, and they would be sent right away. How many of us have that kind of power and can wield it wisely? Not too many of us. Anyway, Matthew then writes: ‘All of this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek (lowly), and sitting upon an ass (donkey), and a colt the foal of an ass.’ (Matt. 21:4-5)
Now that was the prophecy, let’s see if it plays out the way it was prophesied. Matthew doesn’t give us any insight into what happened when the disciples went to gather the donkey and her colt, he simply writes: ‘And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them.’ (Matt. 21:6) But Mark does. He informs us: ‘And they (the two disciples) went their way, and found the colt tied without (outside) in a place where two ways (streets) met; and they loose (untied) him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.’ (Mark 11:4-6)
Then Matthew continues the story. ‘And they brought the ass (donkey), and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him (Jesus) thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way (road); others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed (spread) them in the way (road). And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.’ (Matt. 21:7-11)
Oh my people, what a great day that was in Jerusalem, as the scholars say that Jesus officially offered Himself to Israel as her long awaited Messiah. And Hosanna means ‘Please save.’ Meanwhile they conclude: Riding on the colt of an ass marked the official entry of Israel’s kings. Thus Jesus arrives in the full declaration of His kingship.’ Just like He will again when He comes back to reign on earth for a thousand years. And having heard the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry, let’s offer up sweet sacrifices of praise in an old hymn written especially to celebrate that occasion by Henry Milman in 1820. And it’s most appropriately titled: ‘Ride on, Ride on in Majesty!’
And there’s only one way to sing this song; in a rich, soulful, enthusiastic, scintillating, joyful, mid-tempo version. So, singing: ‘Ride on, ride on in majesty; hark, all the tribes Hosanna cry. O Saviour meek, pursue thy road with palms and scattered garments strewed. Ride on, ride on in majesty; in lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, thy triumphs now begin o’er captive death and conquered sin. Ride on, ride on in majesty; the angel hosts beyond the sky look down with sad and wondering eyes to see the approaching sacrifice. Ride on, ride on in majesty; the last and fiercest strife is nigh. Thy Father on the sapphire throne expects thee, LOVED, anointed Son. Ride on, ride on in majesty; in lowly pomp ride on to die. Bow thy meek head to mortal pain; then take, O God, thy power and reign.’
What beautiful sentiments my people, encompassing Jesus’ magnificent entry into Jerusalem, as well as noting that though riding high just then, He was slated soon thereafter for a sacrificial death. And I’ve always been partial to this particular line: ‘Ride on, ride on in majesty; in lowly pomp ride on to die.’ See how it ties the two activities together; riding in majesty today with death waiting in the wings.
And I can just imagine the angels in heaven looking down on Jesus ‘with sad and wondering eyes to see the approaching sacrifice.’ They knew how the whole situation would change dramatically and drastically in a week’s time. But there was nothing anyone could do, for that’s how the Father planned it from the beginning of time. And what better way to put it than: ‘Ride on, ride on in majesty; the last and fiercest strife is nigh. Thy Father on the sapphire throne expects thee, LOVED, anointed Son. Ride on, ride on in majesty; in lowly pomp ride on to die.’
Yes friends, Jesus rode on in lowly pomp and died for us, but the best is yet to come, as the song says: ‘Bow thy meek head to mortal pain; then take, O God, thy power and reign.’ Yes, in due course of time, Christ will have annihilated all His enemies and will eventually, take His throne as King of Kings and Lords of Lords. For, once more, that’s the way the Father planned it, and therefore, that’s how it will turn out! Enjoy today’s majestic entrance, for next week we will be weighed down with sadness at Jesus’ sacrificial death! Much LOVE!
…today’s tears of joy…will be next week’s tears of sadness…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
02 Apr 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a colt the foal of an ass, be exalted O Lord our God, behold thy king cometh unto thee, exercise faith in his ultimate healing, Holy Week, Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to the son of David, Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jewish Passover Feast, life on the cross, LOVE, meek and sitting on an ass, merciful God, our hearts filled with praise, Palm Sunday, praise him with our lips, save now I beseech O Lord, stir up within us, tell ye the daughter of Sion, the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded, the foundation of our faith, the gift of faith, the Lamb of God, the Lord hath need of them, the prophet of Nazareth, the prophet Zechariah, the ultimate sacrifice, the way of the cross, we lift up your name
Matthew21:6. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them.
And then it was Sunday once again! But this time it’s a special one; Psalm Sunday! The day when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ made His triumphal kingly entry on a colt of a donkey into Jerusalem, the city of His father David. Wow! What a day that was! And what a day it still is, because ‘For Christians, it is a reminder of the welcoming of Jesus into our hearts and of our willingness to follow him.’
Another commentary says: ‘Palm Sunday carries Christ towards the ultimate sacrifice of his life on the cross, where, by his sacrifice we are healed! Its central message is that God sees us and LOVES what he sees. The only requirement from us is that we welcome him and his peace, and exercise faith in his ultimate healing — on earth or in heaven.’
And let’s begin doing that with some appropriate praise and worship for this momentous day in our Christian calendar, by singing the hymn, ‘Hosanna in the Highest!’ In a rousing, rollicking version, let’s offer up our sacrificial praises to heaven with joyful hearts. Singing: ‘Hosanna [2] Hosanna In The Highest [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Hosanna In The Highest. Holy [3] Is The Lamb Of God [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Holy Is The Lamb Of God.
Jesus [3] Is The King Of Kings [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Jesus Is The King Of Kings. Hosanna [2] Hosanna In The Highest [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Hosanna In The Highest. (2) Be exalted Oh Lord our God Hosanna in the Highest….’
Oh my fellow believers, how wonderful it is to be able to remember that joyful day in ole Jerusalem with the multitudes who had come to celebrate the Jewish Passover feast. And we all know the story as told by the disciple Matthew, which we never get tired of hearing and repeating. ‘And when they (Jesus and the disciples) drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethpage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples. Saying unto them, Go into the village over against (opposite) you, and straightway ye shall find an ass (donkey) tied, and a colt with her: loose (untie) them, and bring them unto me.
And if any man say ought (anything) unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek (lowly), and sitting upon an ass (donkey), and a colt the foal of an ass.’ (Matt. 21:1-5)
Yes friends, as the Good Library keeps on showing us, Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament Scriptures. And the prophet who made that announcement was none other than Zechariah, as he promised Israel that their king would indeed come to them one day. (Zech. 9:9) And on the day we call Palm Sunday, Jesus fulfilled that scripture like he did so many others during His short time here on earth.
But getting on with the story, Matthew continues: ‘And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them. And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way (road), others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed (spread) them in the way (road).
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.’ (Matt. 21:6-11)
Now that was indeed a marvellous day as Jesus entered the city where He eventually intends to set up His kingdom, like the king He is. And as the scholars tell us: ‘Riding on the colt of an ass marked the official entry of Israel’s kings. Thus Jesus arrives in the full declaration of His kingship.’ And it was interesting how the crowds shouted out ‘Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest,’ because I don’t think most of them really knew Him, but followed the chants of those who did, like we do so often when we get caught up in the exuberance of a crowd.
And what does the word ‘Hosanna’ mean eh? In the old interpretation as found in Psalm 118:25, it basically meant, ‘save, now.’ That’s how the psalmist used it: ‘Save, now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.’ But when used as the crowd did: ‘Hosanna to the son of David, and Hosanna in the highest,’ ‘In that context, the word Hosanna seems to be a “special kind of respect” given to the one who saves, saved, will save or is saving now. If so Hosanna means “a special honor to the one who saves” And obviously that is cause for discussion amongst the scholars. (smile)
But we don’t need to dilly dally over the meaning, since we know what it means to us. Jesus is our Saviour! Short and to the point. And that segues very nicely into this commentary. “Hosanna in the highest” is used when we acknowledge Jesus for His ultimate sacrifice and what it means for us and mankind as a whole. This may not be something we often say out loud, but we can think it in our minds and feel it in our hearts in times of worship.’
Yuh better believe it, we ought to be continually acknowledging Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, in our hearts, souls, bodies and minds! We need to remember it as the foundation of our faith, so that it can help us handle the rough times when they come along, as they most certainly will.
And we’ll end today with a most appropriate prayer for Palm Sunday. Please pray with me: ‘Merciful God, as we enter Holy week, turn our hearts again to Jerusalem, and to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Stir up within us the gift of faith that we may not only praise him with our lips, but may follow him in the way of the cross.’ And all of God’s people gave a loud and grateful shout of ‘Amen!’
Yes my fellow saints, this Holy Week is indeed a time to stir up our faith, so that we can confidently face the evil world in which we currently dwell, in the great and mighty name of Jesus! Much LOVE!
…only Jesus…only Jesus as God and man…could do what He did…and is still doing…give Him thanks and praise…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
10 Apr 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a conquering hero., a name above every other name, a name written, All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name, all power is given unto me in heaven and earth, at the name of Jesus, became obedient unto death, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord, Christ has universal sovereignty, church disunity, crown him Lord of all, every knee should bow, faithful and true, hail him who saves you by his grace, he hath on his vesture and on his thigh, Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to the son of David, I am Alpha and Omega, Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, join the everlasting song, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, let angels prostrate fall, LOVE, no more tears sorrow pain, on his head were many crowns, out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, Palm Sunday, sacrifices of praise, strictly peace and love, the blessed and only Potentate, the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God, the former things are passed away, the Messiah, the new heaven and earth, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee, ye chosen seed of Israel's race, ye ransomed of the fall, your God is a God of gods
Revelation 19:16. And he hath on his vesture (robe) and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Another Sunday has rolled around my people! And this is a very blessed and special Sunday in the Christian calendar. We call it Palm Sunday, recalling Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem two thousand years ago, the week before He was crucified, riding on a donkey, like the kings who brought peace, the fateful day when He officially offered Himself to the nation of Israel as her long awaited Messiah!
Wow! It was a marvellous day with the many visitors to Jerusalem thronging the streets to see Jesus, spreading their clothing and tree branches in His way, greeting Him like a conquering hero. The Good Book describes it thus: ‘And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.’ (Matt. 21:9-11)
Yes, it was a great day friends, but yuh know what, Palm Sunday also foreshadows Jesus’ return to earth to set up His millennial kingdom in Jerusalem. So, it’s both a triumphant day of the past and one that will again erupt with joy when Christ returns to rule the world. But enough talk, as we’re all looking forward to singing a wonderful song in Christ’s honour this Palm Sunday morning. And it’s indeed a popular hymn, so popular that it’s often called ‘The National Anthem of Christendom,’ and is aptly titled ‘All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.’
‘The lyrics were written by Edward Perronet (1721-1792) a prominent British Pastor at one time affiliated with the Wesley’s of the Methodist persuasion, but afterwards became a pastor of a dissenting congregation.’ Another sad instance of church disunity, that just keeps on increasing the enemy’s power and lessening its own. Anyway, we know all about that and are working diligently to correct it, and the best way to do that right now is to lift up our voices in sweet sacrifices of praise, letting heaven an all earth know how much we LOVE and adore our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
So, in a soulful, scintillating, mid-tempo, joyful version, let’s sing: ‘All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall; Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown him, crown him, crown him, And crown him Lord of all. Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race, Ye ransomed of the fall, Ye ransomed of the fall, Hail him who saves you by his grace, And crown him, crown him, crown him, And crown him Lord of all.
Let ev’ry kindred, ev’ry tribe, On this terrestrial ball, On this terrestrial ball, To him all majesty ascribe, And crown him, crown him, crown him, And crown him Lord of all. O that with yonder sacred throng We at his feet may fall; We at His feet may fall; We’ll join the everlasting song, And crown him, crown him, crown him, And crown him Lord of all.’
Oh, certainly my fellow saints, Jesus must be crowned Lord of ALL, because He is indeed Lord of ALL! That’s what the Good Book says, and the Good Book doesn’t lie. Listen to how Bruh Paul explained it when he wrote to the church at Philippi. ‘And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every other name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:8-11)
Mamma Mia! What power resides in our Jesus! For His undaunted obedience, the Father made His name the highest name therein all the earth and heaven, to whom all knees must bow and confess that He is Lord. Jesus Himself said it to the disciples before He gave them the Great Commission: ‘All power (authority) is given unto me: in heaven and in earth.’ (Matt. 28:18) Even the heathen king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, recognized the might and power of Almighty God, after Daniel revealed the secret of his dream. He said to Daniel: ‘Of a truth, it is that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.’ (Dan. 2:47)
Meanwhile in 1 Timothy, Bruh Paul tells the young preacher: ‘That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable (blameless), until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall show (manifest) who is the blessed and only Potentate (Sovereign Ruler), the King of kings, and Lord of lords.’ (1 Tim. 6:14-15) And if you still don’t believe, then let’s go right to the end of the story and get all the facts straight! (smile)
Right at the opening of John’s vision recorded in Revelation, Jesus said to him: ‘I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, which is, and which was, and which was to come, the Almighty.’ (Rev. 1:8) That set the scene for John’s later recounting of the rider on the white horse; ‘And he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns, and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself…
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture (robe) and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’ (Rev. 19:11-12, 15-16)
Yes, all you beautiful saints of Christ, those mighty words describe our Lord and Saviour when He shall come in all His glory to rule the earth! As the scholars tell us: ‘He is the revelation of God Himself. In His first advent (coming) Jesus especially revealed the LOVE and grace of God. But in His second advent, He will reveal the holiness, justice and judgement of God. Christ will smite the nations, that is destroy all unbelievers, and will subject all nations to Himself, and destroy all His enemies. He has universal sovereignty. The many crowns mean He is King over all who call themselves kings, and Lord over all who call themselves lords.’ Glory Hallelujah my faithful brethren!
That’s how the story plays out; with Jesus the conquering Hero spreading God’s wrath far and wide, cleaning up the earth in anticipation of a time with strictly peace and LOVE, no more tears, nor death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, for the former things (the negative things of the previous world) are passed away. (Rev. 21:4) And that’s how it’s going to be people. Now let’s hope that we will all be amongst that marvellous crowd on that thrilling day. Much LOVE!
…will you be in the new heaven and earth…only if you sincerely believe in Christ Jesus…it’s glorious ruler…
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26 Mar 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brighter day, arrest, betrayal, by His precious blood we are saved, by His stripes we are healed, Calvary, circumstantial evidence, condemn him to death, cross, denied Jesus, desire, disappointment, dreams, Easter Sunday, fearful sheep, for unto you it is given, fuelled their hearts, Gentiles, get down and dirty, glorifying, Good Friday, guidance, guilt, in behalf of Christ, interloper, Jerusalem, Jesus, Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, John, Joseph of Arimathea, Judas, lies, LOVE, magnifying, meaning, miracles, mock, mock trial, Nicodemus, objective, Palm Sunday, Passover, persecution, Peter, philosophy, purpose, remorse, salvation, scattered to the four winds, scourge, sermons, serving, shepherd, suffering, the disciple Jesus loved, the Son of man, threat, to believe on him, to die is gain, to live is Christ, to suffer for his sake, total disaaray, trials, tribulations, troublemaker, wine and rose
Philippians 1:29. For unto you it is given in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.
Well friends, all the Good Friday hoopla is finally over. The feast of the Passover is in progress. The Romans and the ruling Jewish class are happy that Jesus the interloper, troublemaker and very possible threat to their power and political status is dead. They are exhaling a big sigh of relief and resting satisfied in the culmination of their most heinous and criminal act; causing Jesus to be crucified on lies and circumstantial evidence.
Thanks to Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, His lifeless body is now lying in a new tomb sealed by a big rock, with soldiers guarding it, so that there is no chance of any mischief from His rag tag band of followers.
Meanwhile, in reality, that group of followers have fled hither, thither and yon, fearful for their own lives, because of their association with Jesus. Sincere disappointment also clouds their spirits, because they had had such high hopes for and in their leader. All His great sermons and miracles and wonderful philosophy had fuelled their hearts and minds with dreams of a much better and brighter day.
But now, in the blink of an eye, after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem some six days earlier, (Palm Sunday) everything had suddenly been turned topsy-turvy by His sudden betrayal, arrest, mock trial and death on that wooden cross at Calvary. I guess, like any of us mired in a similarly difficult situation, they were wondering what would become of their lives, since they had given up everything to follow Jesus.
Judas, His betrayer, has gone and hung himself, remorse and guilt having gotten the better of him. Then Peter, who had denied knowing Jesus three times, was tearing out his hair, wondering how he could have done something that stupid and cowardly. Mary, Jesus’ mother, per His dying directive, had gone to live with John, the disciple whom He LOVED. And the once solid band of believers was now in total disarray.
It had all happened so suddenly that they had all been taken by surprise, although Jesus had tried to warn them of His impending troubles. As they were going up to Jerusalem, to celebrate the Feast of the Passover, Jesus had tried to tell them what was about to happen.
‘Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles (Roman rulers): and they shall mock him, and shall scourge (flog) him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.’ (Mark 10:33-34)
But obviously none of them were paying serious attention to His words. Even the night of the Last Supper, when He informed them that one of the group would betray Him, they still didn’t take it seriously, although they all wondered and asked if it was them. But now things had come to up bump; the Master was dead, and they were like lost, fearful sheep scattered to the four winds, without the LOVE and guidance of their shepherd.
Yes friends, that was the general state of affairs in Jerusalem, come Saturday morning. I guess it taught that first band of believers a serious lesson; namely that being associated with Jesus could be a dangerous endeavour, entailing suffering and persecution.
I sincerely hope it has also taught us that too, some two thousand years later, as our Bit details. ‘For unto you it is given in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.’
It’s not all wine and roses my people, we ofttimes have to get down and dirty and also suffer some on Jesus behalf. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great life, and I wouldn’t trade it for any other, but like life itself, there are problems and difficulties to encounter, bear and overcome, obviously with Jesus’ help.
As Bruh Paul declares earlier in the chapter: ‘For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.’ (Phil.1:21)
And the scholars tell us: ‘1:21. For explains why Paul is just as happy to magnify the Lord by death as by life (v.20). It is because to him, to live is Christ. He means that living consists of serving and glorifying the Son of God; apart from this, his life has neither meaning nor purpose.
But why is Paul just as content to magnify Christ by death? Because to him to die is gain; that is even though living and serving God are good, death is a graduation to something better: it is a promotion to the heavenly presence of Christ and perfect fellowship with Him.’
Now friends, all of that is perfectly true, but like most of you, I don’t think I’m ready for that heavenly promotion just yet. I still have a lot of serving and magnifying and glorifying to do down here on earth. (smile)
But seriously though my people, like Bruh Paul, our main objective, whether down here on earth, or in heaven on high should be to seriously magnify Christ. That ought to be our basic desire; whatever we do or say should have God’s glorification as its number ONE objective.
Yuh see all the really rough times Bruh Paul went through fearlessly for Christ’s sake! And Christ brought him safely through them all! Now most of us won’t have to go through anything like that, but we will meet opposition and even persecution, if we become and behave like serious followers of Christ.
Now that is the number ONE question: how many of us are willing to go through trials and tribulation in Christ’s service?
And what better day to ponder and consider that question my people, than on the Saturday between Good Friday, when Christ sacrificed His life on the cross, and Easter Sunday, when He rose triumphantly from the grave?
Please, let’s all do that today nuh. And hopefully we’ll all come up with the same resounding answer: ‘Yes! We will go to the grave magnifying our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! After what He’s done for us, we can do nothing less!’
Now let’s go out and put that promise into action this Easter Saturday nuh, before we have time to think about it and change our minds. (smile) Much LOVE!
…by His stripes we are healed…by His precious blood shed on the cross we are saved…thank You Jesus for salvation…
27 Mar 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all ye that labour and are heavy laden, almighty god, anguish, betrayal, Bruh David, burial, Calvary, Christian, common sense, conviction, covenant, crucifixion, cry out to God, defeated death, die on the cross, Easter Sunday, encouraging, eternal life, faithfulness of God, fellowship, focusing on God, forgive our sins, forgiveness, Friday chant, friends and neighbours, further God's glorious kingdom, generous help, Good and upright is the Lord, gratefulness, guidance, guide in judgement, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, He will teach sinners his way, Holy Week, humble, I am meek and lowly in heart, I will forgive their iniquity, I will give you rest, I will remember their sin no more, if we confess our sins, in Jesus' name, iniquity, Jeremiah, Jesus is the way the truth and the life, Jesus' great invitation, Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, joy, justice, know the Lord, Lenten season, loving kindness, meek, mercy, my burden is light, my yoke is easy, our main priority, Palm Sunday, panache, pardon my iniquity, philosophical, poetic, protection, reconciled, rejuvenation, relaxation, repentance, rest, resurrection, sin, testimonies, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the heavy load, the living God, the sins of my youth, the weekend, thy goodness sake, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, truth, uplifting, wisdom, zest
1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And then my beautiful Friends and neighbours, it was Friday! The day that so many of us around the world can’t wait to come around, because it signifies the end of our labour for two, big, whole days. (smile) That’s why the joyful cry of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend’s here at last!’ rings out all over the land every Friday.
However Friends and neighbours, just to see Friday come around should not be the uppermost fact or factor in our lives. It does have its importance, but that’s certainly not at the head of the list.
Our main priority should always be our focus on the living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the One who created the universe and all therein. The One who LOVED us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us on a wooden cross at Calvary’s Hill, so that we could be reconciled to Him.
Now that’s a more worthwhile focus, especially in this upcoming last week of the Lenten season, Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday, where we recreate Jesus’ triumphal entry into the Holy City of Jerusalem. Then during the week, we feel with Him the anguish of waiting for His betrayal, crucifixion, and burial.
And finally, the greatest moment of all in man’s history, when we celebrate His triumphant resurrection on Easter Sunday morning! For that’s what entitles us to promise of eternal life! If Christ had not arisen from the grave, having defeated death, then there’d be no after life for us to celebrate today, two thousand years later.
Now that’s where the Christian mind should be focused in these difficult and trying times. And to help us get into that frame of mind, rather than the ‘Thank God it’s Friday’ one, let’s chant our Friday Chant with much conviction.
As one powerful chanter now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yeh mih people, we need to concentrate on rejuvenating ourselves, so that we can continue our pilgrim’s journey with zest and panache next week. (smile) And an important part of all that is doing what our Bit advises. ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’
Unfortunately though my brethren, a lot of us don’t seem to believe that and we just go on constantly toting the heavy load that is sin on our frail human shoulders. That’s not wisdom nor common sense my people, for long long ago the Lord promised to forgive our sins if we turned to Him in repentance.
Listen to these beautiful, uplifting and encouraging words of the prophet Jeremiah nuh. ‘And they shall teach no more every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.’ (Jer.31:34)
Oh Friends, we all know the faithfulness of our God, so why is it so difficult to embrace that promise eh? Why do we insist on letting our sins weigh us down, when it’s not necessary?
Bruh David is a great example of not letting his sins weigh him down too much. He did his thing, but when times got rough, he wasn’t afraid to cry out to the God of his fathers for mercy and forgiveness. Hear this cry of his from Psalm 27 – A prayer for guidance and protection.
‘Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies, and thy LOVING-kindness; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
The meek (humble) will he guide in judgement (justice): and the meek (humble) will he teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.’ (Ps.25:6-12)
Ah mih people, we don’t have to wax as poetic and philosophical as Bruh David, but we do have to bring our sins to Almighty God for forgiveness as often as possible, so that we can shed the heavy load that they bring to bear on us. Please remember Jesus’ great invitation to all and sundry.
‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (gentle and humble): and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt.11:28-30)
Oh Friends, there we have it in living colour, straight from Jesus Himself! What shall we do about it eh? Shall we foolishly reject such a wonderful invitation? Or shall we embrace it with joy and gratefulness?
I beg to advice that the latter option is the only wise and sensible one. So today, let’s ponder our true relationship with Jesus nuh, and hopefully come to the conclusion, that He is indeed the Truth, the Light, and the Way in this dark world of evil and sin. Much LOVE!
…the greatest wisdom mankind can embrace…is that of truly and faithfully following Jesus…
13 Apr 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all knees must bow, all tongues confess, awesome day, beatific greeting, Bethany, bethpage, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord, blessings, cedars of Lebanon, celebrating, Christ's Second Coming, conquering hero, crucifixion, demeaning treatment, eagerly looking forward, emotions run away, expectant faith, exuberance, exuberant crowds, faith, fearful people, fickle, greedy, heralded entrance, hope, Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to the son of David, humble preacher, hungry hope, hypocrite, Israel, Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, Jesus is Lord indeed, Jesus' exalted position, Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jewish elite, king of glory, King of Kings, kingship, Lord and Saviour, Lord of Lords, loving arms of Jesus, Lucifer, magnificence, Messiah, miraculous doings, Mount of Olives, no reversal of fortunes, nothing compares, Old Testament, Palm Sunday, Pharisees, pleasure, politically corrupt, praise, Praise the Lord, Redeemer, rejection, scribes, Septuagint, son of god, thanksgiving, the Lord's House, the next time, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee, the trumpet sounds, triumphal entrance, victorious
Matthew 21:9b. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
The trumpet sounds: Spah na na na na na! The gates open – and the triumphal entry begins: in rides our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ on a magnificent charger, just a prancing and dancing down the paved streets of gold, lined with palms and cedars of Lebanon!
Our conquering hero is dressed in splendid robes befitting His exalted position. A crown of gold and precious jewels sits perfectly on his head, while the scabbard containing His mighty sword dangles from His waist. It’s a picture of pure magnificence, of pure kingship!
A radiant smile spreads across His handsome face as the highly exuberant crowds cry out: ‘All hail the King of Glory! Jesus Christ, the Son of God; before whom all knees must bow and all tongues confess that He is Lord indeed!’
And at that unforgettable greeting, our glorious Redeemer raises His right hand and waves it in a beatific greeting.
The angels have a hard time keeping the crowds at bay, while Jesus and His legions march down the main street of Jerusalem, victorious over the foolish and fallen ingrate Lucifer – forever!
Oh forgive me Friends, in my overwhelming exuberance, I jumped ahead to the Second Coming of our Saviour, arrayed in full splendour and glory as the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords! I’m so excited, looking forward to that day so much, that I let my emotions run away on me. (smile) But it sure is a marvellous picture though my brethren, and one we can definitely look forward to sometime in the not too distant future.
Today though, we’re celebrating His first triumphal entrance into Jerusalem some two thousand years ago, not yet as a conquering hero, but as a lowly and humble preacher on the verge of miraculous doings, to fulfill that ‘which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Zion, behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek (lowly), and sitting upon an ass (donkey), and a colt, the foal of an ass.
And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them. And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed (spread) them in the way (road).
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.’ (Matt. 21:4-11)
Yes my brethren, that is how it was on Jesus’ first heralded entrance to Jerusalem, a rather low key affair in comparison to what His Second entrance will be. But it served its purpose, spread His name around some more, got people talking, wondering, filling them with expectant faith and hungry hope, just the way we are today; eagerly looking forward to the next time.
That’s because the next time there will be no reversal of fortunes, there will be no fickle and fearful people to change their minds about Jesus and sit idly by or enjoy His demeaning treatment and eventual crucifixion at the hands of the cruel Roman soldiers, so assiduously engineered by the greedy and politically corrupt Jewish elite. But that first Palm Sunday though was Jesus’ day, when the people really seemed to rally around Him.
However, listen to a couple of interesting points raised by the scholars. ’21:1-9. This event is traditionally known as the triumphal entry, when Jesus officially offers Himself to the nation of Israel as her long-awaited Messiah. However, in many ways it was far from a triumph, for the day ended in Jesus’ public prediction of His rejection by His own people. (See Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-39; John 12:12-15).
Bethpage was a village near Bethany, about a mile east of Jerusalem and apparently hidden from it by the summit of the Mount of Olives, which was the hill on the east of Jerusalem. The quotation in verse 5 is a combination of Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9, taken substantially from the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament.
Hosanna is the transliteration of a Hebrew term meaning “please save,” and occurs in 2 Samuel 14:4 and Psalm 118:25. From the following verse of this psalm the acclamation Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord is taken, Riding on the colt of an ass marked the official entry of Israel’s kings. Thus Jesus arrives in full declaration of His kingship.’
And all God’s people gave a rousing and joyful shout of ‘Praise the Lord, our King cometh!’
Yes my fellow believers, today is one of the many red letter days in the celebration of our great faith, so please let’s give it the true attention it deserves, by going to the Lord’s House and celebrating it with others of the same ilk.
And we’ll end with an interesting word from Jesus as He denounces the hypocrite scribes and Pharisees. ‘For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.’ (Matt.23:39)
Yes Friends, we can all look forward with great pleasure to that awesome day! Meanwhile, enjoy today’s blessings with plenty praise and thanksgiving! Much LOVE!
…oh to be wrapped up in the warm and LOVING arms of Jesus…nothing to it compares…
SCRIP-BITS 