Thursday, April 10, 2014

April 11, 2014

"They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:7-9
God's Word is powerful because of the power of the Trinity that operates through the divinely inspired message.
The Word is powerful because of the power of truth that flows from the character of the Godhead and permeates every word of Scripture.
Because of the power of the Trinity and the power of the truth, God's Word transforms!
I have one more element of the Word's power to share with you!
God's Word is powerful because of it's triumph!
As we look forward to Palm Sunday, let's consider what was triumphant about the Triumphal Entry which we will celebrate Sunday.
What appears to be triumphant at first view, the "hallelujahs" and "hosannas" were misguided tributes. Those lining the road that day were excited about a "showdown" with the might Romans who were oppressing them. Most of the cheering throng were expecting a "gunfight at OK corral".
Obviously they were wrong. They totally misunderstood and high expectations do not go down easily. Within a matter of hours their cheers would turn to jeers and their fervent cries would become fevered condemnation.
I am not sure about you, but I don't think misguided enthusiasm qualifies as triumphant. In hindsight, their hollow praise at such a vital and vulnerable moment in Jesus' life was actually cruel.
The triumphant part of the the Triumphant Entry was the obedience displayed by Jesus! He rode into Jerusalem, enduring the faint praise, knowing He was facing extreme suffering and injustice. Yet He mounted the colt and rode.
Therein is the triumphant power of the Word - which is obedience. As powerful as the Word is with the Trinity involved and the truth inherent and the transformation initiated - only obedience makes it triumphant. All the powerful potential contained with the Word can only be unleashed by obedience.
The power of His Word depends on the permission of your will!

Will you obey His Word today?