Jeers

“Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” Matthew 27:22, 23

How easily cheers can turn into jeers. A short time ago these same people who were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” were now shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (Matthew 21:9; 27; 22, 23) How could this happen? These are the people who were looking for a Savior, after all! Did they not know that this man who rode on a donkey—a borrowed one at that—was Him? Maybe. Maybe not. Something had taken hold of them.

Cheers became jeers. The people who greeted Him now spat on Him and became a part of the angry mob and stormed the streets as they watched Jesus being led through them. They stood on the hill called Calvary and watched as He was nailed to the cross. The jealousy of the Scribes and Pharisees and the fear of the people led them to this place. There they stood and watched as Jesus was put to death.

This is what happens when you forget where your strength really comes from and allow jealousy and fear to have reign in your heart and mind and, yes, even your soul. Ole-sloo-foot, you see, wants all of you and if we aren’t submissive to the will of God and His presence in our lives, Evil has us.

When we are frozen with fear we forget where our strength originates. It is not in our prowess or our intellect—none of that matters. Our true strength comes from God. Knowing Him and how much He loves us is our greatest strength. There is no greater strength than love—love that comes from God. Nothing can harm us, for whether we live or die, we are alive with God.

Will you deny Jesus as Peter once did? Or will you stand by Jesus as did John?

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 NKJV

Dear Lord, help me not be a part of a mob that is controlled by fear. Your love has overcome fear and leaves no place for its companion, jealousy. No greater love have I but you. In Jesus’ name. AMEN