April 2nd

The Crowd at the Crossroads

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!' And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? Matthew 21:9-10

Do you know the difference between going to church and being a Christian? I hope you know, because your eternal destination depends on your answer.

See, there are a lot of people in America who call themselves Christians, but really have no idea what that means. They even go to church. I mean, they're really involved! They bring their kids, they go to Bible studies, they engage wholeheartedly in the worship times, but somehow they never really found Jesus in all the learning and participating and activities.

That's why Paul wrote, Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you are disqualified (2 Corinthians 13:5). And there's the bottom line, isn't it? Is Jesus Christ in you? Because if He's not in you, then you're not saved.

Take a look at our verses today for a great picture of some people who should have examined themselves. Those multitudes were the ones praising God as Jesus rode into town on Palm Sunday, just five days before He would be crucified. And the whole crowd gets caught up in the stir of what's going on, so that they all cry out together in praise to God-but then what happens?

Jesus gets into Jerusalem, finding that the whole city-the WHOLE city, not just someis stirred up about this parade that just came to town. But they don't even know what they're stirred up about. They're all asking, Who is this?

It's like, Praise God! Hallelujah! Oh wait, who is this all about again? They got caught up in the emotions of the moment and had some kind of incredible experience that they probably thought was pretty significant, but it had no connection to truth or reality. They sang the song, but they had no idea who they were singing for. They danced the dance, but couldn't tell anyone the reason for their joy.

How about you today? Are you just singing the songs, or are you really worshiping Jesus? Are you dancing because that's what everyone else is doing, or do you have joy because you know Jesus saved you?

Are you following the crowd, or are you following Jesus?

Prayer Lord Jesus,

I want to make sure that I am following You today and every day of my life! Whenever I get into crowds, please help me to live for You in truth, no matter what the crowd is doing.

Amen