Matthew 21:1-11 portrays the most significant coronation the world has yet to see. Jesus presented himself to the nation as the King of kings, and he was affirmed as King, in a sense, inaugurated into his kingship. But the ceremony provided no pomp, no splendor, and a nondescript sort of pageantry. Traditionally, this coronation has been called Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It was his last major public appearance before HIs crucifixion and was an extremely important event in His Divine ministry on earth. This is an event that is frequently dramatized but seldom studies carefully or understood for its true significance. Jesus came to be a King, but not just any king, He came to be the King of kings! He presents Himself to the people who were gathered in Jerusalem for Passover to acknowledge that He was their king. At that same moment, history tells us that Pilate entered Jerusalem from the East, with all the pomp that the Roman Legions would allow. Later, when Pilate would ask Jesus, “Are you a king?” Jesus says, “That is why I have come, but my kingdom is not of this world, for if my kingdom was of this world then … READ MORE

Change is a hard thing, but it is also a natural thing. We grow and change all the time, the problem comes in when we want to work at personal change. It is hard and often painful. But hard and painful does not equate with impossible. We have been exploring how we view ourselves, and we complete that study today. We don’t have to be what we were, and we an work at who we are trying to become. The focus of that change must be the Word of God. Sometimes in this journey we need help. That can be in the arena of accountability or in the area of discipleship. Both are valid. As we look for someone to assist us in life changes, make sure that the person is someone who loves the Lord and who is willing to firmly (albeit gently) hold our feet to the fire until the changes necessary become “second nature” We need to remember that Jesus sought out the 12, and poured out special training on them. It is no disgrace to understand that we need the help of others to do the right thing. James 5:14-15 reminds us that if we are … READ MORE