Why Do You Praise Him?

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Today's Passage:Matthew 21:1-11
Memory Verses: Psalm 100:4-5

You probably know the story well. One week before Jesus was crucified, He made history in Jerusalem. He entered the city in much the same way as a king did in that day who had just returned from defeating and conquering the lands of his enemies. Finally, after more than three years of doing his earthly ministry in almost a secret manner, He decides to reveal Himself as who He really was: the King of all kings.

And the people ate it up. They received Him like the king He professed to be, lining the streets with palm branches and even the clothes off their backs. They shouted at the top of their lungs: "Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!"...As often as I've read this story, I've always wondered why it was so easy for those same ones who paid honor to our Lord to turn their backs on Him in the matter of a few short days.

Then I noticed a line in that passage that had escaped me before. It said the city was moved, and wondered, "Who is this?" (v. 10). This gave me a new perspective on the mindset of the people who were adoring Jesus that day. Most of them didn't have a clue who He was. They simply happened to be in an exciting place on an ordinary day. As a result of this, when the Jews realized that He wasn't going to march up to the governors and demand to be politically recognized as a Jewish king, they demanded that He be put to death. And so, the ones who just went along with the praise without even knowing Him must have been the very ones who went along with the condemnation. After all, to them, He was just another Jew who never did anything special for them.

Which brings me to my question: why do YOU praise Him? When the praise team asks everyone to lift their hands and worship, or shout unto God with a voice of triumph, do you do it just to go along? Or do you see a series of images flashing through your mind's eye of all the times He's brought you out, lifted you out of the traps the enemy is constantly setting for you, and reassured you of His presence in the midst of trouble?

This morning, as you get ready to go into the service, don't wait until the praise team invites you to praise our Lord. Enter His gates with thanksgiving on your lips. Thank Him for everything -- especially for the price He paid for saving you. And if you're going through an especially trying season in your life, let your praise, combined with the praise of your sisters and brothers in Christ, transport you into His presence to be filled and healed. For the Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever. From this day forward, may you never just be a bystander again.

Prayer: Father, I am so very grateful for the extreme measures you took to set me free. Today and everyday,let my praise be as abounding and freely flowing as Your love, mercy and grace towards me. I love You now and always, and will worship Your Son forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.