Throw your palms down for this, for him!
Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s verses are Philippians 2:5-11, where the Bible says,
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Yesterday was Palm Sunday and today is the beginning of Holy Week for Christians around the world. This is the week where we realize why Christmas matters. Jesus was born for this moment, for this week. This is the week, like that week so many years ago, where Jesus’ mission was and still is in full view as the Son of God in human flesh who took our place so that we might be saved. This is the week where we realize that forgiveness, life, and salvation for sinners like us could only happen with a Savior like Him and a cross that was meant, not for Him, but for us. This is the week!
But what a week it was back then. Not everyone threw palm branches down for Jesus. After that Palm Sunday of celebration, Jesus’ week became one of confrontations with false teachers, with political hacks, with corrupt trials, and brutal beatings, and mob rule. Jesus entered that arena willingly, through blood, sweat, and tears. And what happened to Jesus Christ in that week literally changed the world. The benefits of what Jesus Christ endured and accomplished during the week of His passion continues to change people’s lives today!
Today it is easy for us to confuse the people that we should to honor with the only one that we are called to worship. The Bible makes the distinction. Show respect for fathers/mothers, magistrates, artisans, business leaders, and earthly authorities, yes, but put your faith and worship in the God who created and redeemed you. That involves faith toward Him, followed by fervent love toward neighbor. Throw your branches down even today in faith toward the Savior who endured even our rejections and unbelief so that we might be reconciled to God in all things.
Throw your branches down this week, then, but not to a politician or policy, not to an entertainer or celebrity, not even to great dreams or a desire that can only be realized here and now. Do not throw down your branches to things like “this or that,” but, instead, to Him who is your Lord and Savior, who’s mindset was set on you so that you could be saved. His mindset and His life, death, and resurrection were lived out for you, and all of that gives you a way of thinking and living that empowers your daily walk as a walk to eternity. It gives you certainty and purpose in your relationship with God no matter what is going on in your life. And it even gives believers wisdom to live life abundantly here and now.
So, throw your branches down in faith, and then charge into each day with His mindset, as well as with His promises for your life and salvation today and always.
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, give us courage to throw our “palm branches” of faith down so that we trust in You above all things. May even the important things of the day never take the place of our enduring trust in You. Instead, let our faith in You truly empower and order our days with faith toward You and fervent love toward others in Your Name, AMEN.
