A lot Can Change in a Week

3 weeks ago on a Tuesday, I was going to work at my new-ish job and really starting to get the hang of being a credit union teller. I had just finished my last bit of orientation and had stayed up the entire night before studying for my 3 exams (we have to take 15 of them so we can totally rock at our jobs). When I got to work that morning and signed into my email, I noticed that corporate had cancelled all testing for the next 90 days and that would only be the beginning of many changes. A lot of emotions flew that morning. One of my co-workers was to take her last exam that morning – it was a huge milestone in more than one way for her & it was just taken from her. For me, I was just peeved that I stayed up all night studying and couldn’t finish my exams on my perfectly laid timeline that I had laid out in my head, but for my sweet friend, it meant more.

By the end of that week our lobby closed (okay more like 2 days later) and we had to totally re-think the way we service our members. I had to temporarily say goodbye to half of our staff for the “foreseeable future” because we would be working 5 on and 5 off in two different work crews. I was lucky.

Some of you might have gotten the shorter end of the stick. Many of you lost jobs permanently or temporality or had to quickly reinvent your entire business to keep it in operation. Some had to cancel or postpone big events such as weddings, graduations, and parties. Most of us searched aimlessly for basic necessities that we were so used to just “grabbing.” Some of you have been exposed or lost a loved one to the virus. The simple act of just getting to see and hug my mom has now been ripped from my reality, and that is something I personally took for granted. In a flash, everything changed because one single event occurred. It has been like the worst game of dominos ever imagined.

A lot can CHANGE in a week. Trust me, Jesus would understand that.

The people of Israel had been waiting for a Savior. They had been waiting for the promised king to come as save them from their current situation, themselves, the crippling world – all of it. HOLLA -we could use that today, right? They knew that they needed saving & that nothing in the world would ever satisfy their souls comparable to the One they had read about in Scripture. They would know this prophecy:

“Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey–riding on a donkey’s colt.”

Zechariah 9:9 NLT

Religion was a super big deal in that day. I mean, it was enforced by some pretty harsh & self righteous religious dudes who assumed they were basically next-to-God-good. These people in Israel would have known what the scriptures said, which meant that when my man Jesus came rollin’ up on a donkey, it would have been a big deal, showstopper.

Can we just pause for a second? Place yourself on that road. Make yourself an Israelite that had been waiting, every day for this moment to happen. And then just like that, it was happening, and you were there. If you’re not there yet in your mind, I want you to think of something you’ve wanted your entire life and had to wait most of it to come. What would you emotions be like? How would you react? Because oh yes, Jesus came, and he came in style.

“The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,

‘Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!’

Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:

‘Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”

John 12:12-15

Jesus knew what he was doing. He was a man of detail – oh how I love this quality of his! He knew that in order to fulfill the prophecy, he couldn’t grab a camel or sheep, it had to be a donkey. This was a sign to the people that he was the real deal. You see, a donkey was a symbol of power & a king would only ride a donkey once he had secured peace for his people. What. a. statement. And oh how the people wouldn’t know what he would have to do to secure that peace, but they would soon find out within a week’s time. The religious leaders already hated Jesus because he was a threat to their power, and so this was a boldest-of-the-bold moves on Jesus’ part. This was basically him throwing himself into the hands of his enemies. However, he didn’t hesitate, because it was the reason he was born & walked the earth – to fulfill the prophecy.

“Hosanna in the highest,” they shouted as they threw down all of their robes and garments before him. This was like the OG red carpet before red carpets were a thing. And the disciples? Kinda clueless. Jesus was like “hey, go get me this colt and tell the owner exactly what I tell you and that owner will just give up the colt willingly for my ride.” Could you imagine the limo services today doing that? No, there’s paperwork, there’s scanning of driver’s license, blood sample….ha, kidding, but you get the point. Jesus said it and it happened. The word hosanna means “God save us; God rescue us; save us Lord we beg.” These people saw Jesus as their savior and king of Israel and they cried out for his rescue. Oh how we still shout Hosanna today! Lord, save us. Lord, rescue us. Lord, we beg of you. We just want our current reality to pass.

Though, what’s interesting about this is that these same voices who proclaimed Jesus as their saving grace also yelled to the top of their lungs, CRUCIFY HIM only five. days. later.

A lot can change in a week, y’all. We know that more than ever now, as I mentioned earlier, but also in our spiritual walks when there isn’t a global pandemic spreading. “We go to church on Sunday and cuss on Monday,” isn’t that how the ole country song goes? Here are some thoughts to ponder as you enter into this high and holy week that will suffice during the times of Covid-19 or days, months, or even years to come:

• In what ways does my faith waver throughout the week? Do I notice when it wavers?
• How often do I use my lips to bless and praise God versus complain, vent, gossip, etc. about my situation?
• What other things do I place “on the donkey” as my king, savior, idol, etc.? How do mindlessly assume those things will “secure my peace?”
• Do I believe that Jesus has secured my peace and is the source of it for my life?

Prayer: Hosanna, Lord Jesus! We need your rescue on this day. Help us to place you back on that donkey and humbly lay down our possessions, idols, pride, and lives before you. You deserve all glory, laude and honor. You are the only one who will save us from ourselves, our situation and the enemy that wages war against our thoughts and hearts. Forgive us of our flippant faith. Transform our minds and hearts as we turn them to you. Forgive us when we abandon your presence, love and bright plan for our lives. Help us to praise you and encourage others to know you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Activities for kids:

• Act out the Story of Jesus Entering Jerusalem together
• Make a Washi Tape or construction paper Hosanna Palm Branch (and of course, wave it!)
• Draw a palm branch on your driveway or sidewalk for others to see as they walk by (and maybe even help your kiddos write the word “Hosanna” and words of peace for your neighbors)
• Make a Palm leaf bookmark for their Bible (or favorite book) with either of the scriptures I listed (or others!)
• Enter the beautiful world of Pinterest for more ideas! Click here.

Remember friends, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Christ’s presence brings us peace, and who doesn’t need that?