Posts Tagged ‘ Freedom ’
No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13, CSB
Christ has freed us, and He has freed us from sin by His own blood and from the terror of God by calling us friends.
So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him.
John 13:4-5, CSB
Christ has freed us, including from focusing on ourselves so that we can love others better, to love like Jesus loves us.
He said to them, “It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of thieves!”
Matthew 21:13, CSB
Christ has freed us from sin and man-made religion, giving us the will and desire to seek God over personal gain and to love others with the love of Jesus.
Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, he went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” At once the fig tree withered. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”
Matthew 21:19-20, CSB
Christ has freed us, most importantly from the curse of sin and death. Nothing we do matters if we are not living in obedient faith in Jesus.
As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, saying, “If you knew this day what would bring peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes.”
Luke 19:41-42, CSB
Christ has freed us, weeping over our sin and ignorance, calling us to live in His light. Turn to His light and be freed from the shadow of sin and pride.
Happy Palm Sunday!
Let’s talk about the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their clothes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. Then the crowds who went ahead of him and those who followed shouted: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, saying, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:6-11, CSB
We call it the Triumphal Entry, but consider the facts:
Now, let’s deal with these, in reverse order:
Jesus triumphal entry was really a humble entry, as the humble servant who came to take away our sins. He did many authoritative things, but that will be discussed later!
It is true that He deserved the praise.
Let us ensure we worship rightly, seeking to know our Savior and Lord rightly, not with our assumptions and unbiblical (or barely biblical) understandings of who Jesus is. It becomes too easy to turn on each other, which is turning on our Lord. (Acts 9:4-5; Matthew 25:31-46)
Be ready to correct, but be gentle and compassionate. We all have worries and fears we work through, just like Jews under Roman occupation desiring salvation from the emperor and corrupt leaders. Be patient with each other, knowing we are all struggling through trying to seek our God, and we all fail and fall short at times.
But know our Lord has come and calls us to peace with each other (Romans 12; 2 Corinthians 5) until His true Triumphal Entry at the end of this age.
For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
Galatians 5:13, CSB
Christ has freed us, to be free from the clutches of sin and to love others with the love of God.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus
Romans 8:1, CSB
We are called to unity in Christ, forgiving each other and knowing we are forgiven in Christ. We help each other get past our sins, knowing God has removed all guilt and shame.
He spread a cloud as a covering
Psalm 105:39-40, CSB
and gave a fire to light up the night.
They asked, and he brought quail
and satisfied them with bread from heaven.
God is faithful, and He demonstrated this by freeing Israel from slavery and then providing protection, guidance, and food while they followed. Likewise, His faithfulness is ultimately found in Christ who provided our salvation from sin and provides all we need through daily life and the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
He sent Moses his servant,
Psalm 105:26-27, CSB
and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
They performed his miraculous signs among them
and wonders in the land of Ham.
God is faithful, and He showed this by keeping His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by sending Moses to free Israel from slavery and promise a coming Savior from sin. God’s faithfulness also brought that Savior, and we can praise Him and carry this gospel as He moves us throughout the world.
a simple man of God 