Luke 19:37 As He was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen….
As I read this praise-filled, joyful scene, my heart hurts for what I know is coming—betrayal, denial, and painful death at the hands of the very people who are praising God so passionately in this scripture. Jesus knows it is coming, too. He knows who will betray Him, who will deny Him, who will crucify Him. As much as my mind wants to focus on the horror of the betrayal, an even greater lesson resides in Christ’s actions and attitudes.
Luke 19:38 …saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace be in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”
Peter is most likely among this crowd, praising just as loudly as the rest. Even when Christ tells him of his eventual denial, Peter is adamant that he will never deny Christ. But Jesus knows Peter’s denial is a step on his path, not the end of it. He doesn’t focus on the denial, He doesn’t castigate Peter for his grievous error. He focuses on what comes next.
Matt 26:32 “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for Your deep love. Thank You for loving us through our mistakes, denials, and grievous errors. Thank You for focusing on what comes next—using our stories, our scars, our lives to tell others of Your love and mercy. Help us to treat each other with the same compassion with which You treat us, especially when we make mistakes, especially when others make mistakes. Help us to shine Your light. Draw us closer. Amen.
Matt 26:39 …”Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.