The Test of Love

As we draw near to Palm Sunday remembering this was the first day of Jesus' last week on this earth as a human being.
This was the week of fulfilling His mission, His purpose for coming to earth as the Son of Man.

Can you imagine what it was like for Jesus to enter the temple as boy, and reading from the prophet Isaiah.

He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. Isaiah 53:5,7

That was a great burden for a 12 year old boy to handle, for at that point He knew He was born to die. The remainder of His short life would be in total obedience to His Heavenly Father. He walked among men but never fell into the trap of sin, making Him the only acceptable sacrifice for our transgressions to a Holy God.

And now the time had arrived, it was a bitter sweet time for Jesus. He had just prayed for the cup to pass, for He knew the suffering that was up ahead. But not my will, your will be done He cried out to His Father. His prayer was so passionate that drops of blood dripped down his face from his forehead.

The first day of His last week has begun, He has His disciples get a donkey that was tied up waiting for Him, this donkey had never been ridden symbolizing the sanctity of His mission.

As He rode into Jerusalem the people were rolling out the red carpet of the day; freshly cut palm branches and they were even laying their coats before the King of the Jews. They were shouting Hosanna and dancing in the streets, this same group that was saying hail Jesus would be shouting nail Jesus by the end of the week.

Jesus knew the end from the beginning, He knew exactly what He would be facing. His Love kept Him moving toward Jerusalem, and would keep Him on the Cross. His Love was tested every step of the way.

Love was His motivation, and the fuel of His commitment !

His commitment was for the lost, and thats the final command He left with us.
To go into all the world and preach the gospel and make disciples.

Thats the test of our Love...