Luke 19:28-38 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Jesus does not claim to be just a teacher, a guide to God, He claims to be "the Lord." The Lord needs it. The world does not mind acknowledging Jesus as some guru, a holy teacher, but they do not want to claim him as the Lord. If He is Lord, then they must address how they live, whether or not they are pleasing to Jesus. By claiming lordship, Jesus makes people accountable to his words, his revelation. The Jewish people were uncertain about recognizing Jesus' divinity, but they were absolutely sure they wanted a king to throw off the yoke of the Romans. They needed a miracle-working king, and Jesus performed miracles. He did things no man had done from the beginning of time. Why not choose him as Lord and King; maybe the miracle worker could get rid of the hated Romans. Therefore, they greeted him joyfully as He rode into Jerusalem: Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!

However, a week later when they found Jesus was seemingly a mere man in the hands of the Jewish elite and the hated Romans, they vehementedly turned against him. The people were totally disillusioned, and they must have felt betrayed by Jesus. He made them think He was Lord, but now it was evident TO THEM that He was but a man with no real power. Consequently, their hatred for the Romans and their disillusionment made them cry out angrily against this imposter, "Crucify him, Crucify him." They would rather see the Romans release Barabbas the murderer than Jesus the deceiver. Their disappointment was great because their hopes had been dashed. It was evident to them now that Jesus was powerless to help them.

Has Jesus disappointed you? Has He failed to deliver you from all your troubles? Are you still a captive in your soul, in your sadness? Is He the deceiver in your life? If we read the Word incorrectly, with purely fleshly expectations, we might consider Jesus the Lord as the deceiver. We might lament, why hasn't He come to my rescue? Why doesn't He make my body strong? Why doesn't He heal my sick loved one? Why am I not successful in the world? Why doesn't my mate love me the way I should be loved? Why are my children rebellious? Why do I have such long sleepless nights? Why do I have to worry about making a living? We might cry, "Jesus, aren't you Lord; can't you do these miracles?" Every day the multitudes ask Jesus these questions and many more. Silence is often the response to these queries. But Jesus did go into Jerusalem as Lord. He was crucified as Lord.

As we read of the many troubles believers have faced, scriptures tell us this world is not our home. Paul, the apostle, laments, To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. Do you not think Paul prayed? Do you believe that he alone endured hardship, depravation, fear, anxiety, and trouble? Christianity is not a panacea for our troubles here on Earth. Yes, God answers prayers and is concerned about our life IN HIM, and yes, we can endure all thing through Christ Jesus. But, to use Jesus as a cure-all for all of our troubles is to read our fleshly desires into scripture. Christianity is a spiritual journey, an intimate experience with the Lord himself as we abide in the Holy Spirit. Paul gave his life totally to God regardless of his situation or experiences because he knew Jesus intimately. He knew Jesus was with him, preparing the way to heaven. Paul was a spiritual being, as we all are IN CHRIST. He was and is a citizen of another world known as the Kingdom of God. Basically, this life, this earthly kingdom, was irrelevant to him, had no hold on him. He declared he had learned contentment in Christ in all circumstances.

We who wholeheartedly love and submit to Christ are new creatures, made to fellowship with the King forever. We are no longer bound to the things of this world. Yes, we will get old, develop wrinkles, and experience pain in our bodies. Yes, we may stoop over from the weight of this world, but WE ARE NEW CREATURES in Christ who loves us. People might look at Christians and say we look like everyone else with the same troubles as everyone else, but praise God we are not bound to this earth. We are heavenly creatures, full of the Holy Spirit with his attributes: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) God, in Jesus Christ, has rescued us from sin and death. The Light of the world has brought light to our souls. Praise God, we do not weep alone in the darkness, hopelessly despairing our circumstances, for we know by faith that He is always near. He always praises our efforts and encourages us to keep going. There is victory in Christ Jesus. Our destination is the kingdom of God. By faith, dwell in it now, believe in it, and know it in your hearts! For the kingdom of God is within you: Jesus is near!