“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
As Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on what we know as Palm Sunday, He looked at the city and wept. In the hebrew language, the word used to describe His weeping speaks of bitter anguish, as though one first were mourning the death of a loved one.
Jesus cried with such pain because He knew what was next to come. His time was short. He had been rejected by mankind. He had healed their sick. He had raised their dead. He had cleansed their lepers. He had fed their hungry and forgave their sins. But He remained mostly alone and rejected.
He also knew one of His own, Judas Iscariot, was about to betray Him. Judas was a friend of Jesus’. That is why it was a betrayal. Jesus knew that Caiaphas, the high priest, would try Him on false charges. Jesus knew that He would be sent to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and ultimately be sentenced to die on the cross. He knew the people who were crying, “Hosanna!” And that the majority would turn against them. And it broke His heart. Jesus knew they would face the repercussions for their sin, and He didn’t want that.
I have friends and also family who have made wrong decisions in life, despite the warnings in God’s written word. Despite counsel from thier Pastor or Christian friends not to do a certain thing. They do it anyways, then later they come back and say, “Oh, I should have listened.
God will not violate our free will. God will not make us believe. God will not make us love Him. If we don’t want to, we don’t have to. But that is what is so amazing. God, having foreknowledge, still loves us and still extends his grace to us.
“God will not force His forgiveness on to anyone.”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for my church, my friends and the ones that love me. Thank You for the amazing comfort that I can find with You. Please refill my spirit daily because I don’t often make good decisions on my own. I praise you for not forsaking me in the times that I don’t listen. Because of Your love, I can have peace and forgiveness for all my sins. Because of You Lord, I am free from the penalty of sin and no matter what happens on this earth, I will be healed and loved for all eternity. Father, help me to remember these things and to pass them on to those who are thirsting for Your refreshing comfort. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Seeking Comfort from Jesus?
Jesus Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20)
The Bible promises eternal life to all who receive Christ: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13)
If you have not asked Jesus into your life You can receive Jesus Christ right now by faith through prayer.
(Prayer is just talking with God. He knows your heart, so don’t worry about getting your words just right. Here is a suggested prayer to guide you:)
Seeking Jesus? Pray this prayer with me.
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Saviour and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.
If you have prayed this prayer, Congratulations! (Luke 15:7) says that when one sinner accepts Jesus Christ as his or her Saviour the angels rejoice. So there’s a party going on in heaven right now over your decision! Remember this date as your “second birthday,” the day you were born into a new life in Christ! You have God’s Word that he answered your prayer.
If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here
Rob Lavallee
Scriptural Seeds Ministries
http://www.scripturalseeds.org