Seeing What God Is Doing

I often wonder what the atmosphere must have been like when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt.

For centuries the prophets had spoken of a coming Redeemer. Generations had waited, prayed, and hoped. Now the moment had arrived. The promises of God were unfolding in real time before the eyes of the people.

The crowd was celebrating. Many had seen the miracles of Christ or heard the stories that were spreading throughout the land. The blind had received their sight. The lame had walked. The dead had been raised. Hope was alive in the streets of Jerusalem.

Then they saw Him—Jesus—riding into the city on a colt.

Most likely, many in that crowd did not realize they were watching prophecy being fulfilled. Even the disciples did not yet grasp the full meaning of the moment. Yet the religious leaders—the scholars and experts in Scripture—knew the prophecies well. Still, they failed to recognize what was happening right before them.

Jesus did not fit their expectations.

He did not look like the Messiah they had imagined. He did not act according to their theological assumptions. Because He did not match their understanding, they could not see Him for who He truly was.

Their knowledge became a barrier.

They could acknowledge Him as a teacher. Some even admitted He was a prophet. But their intellect, their traditions, and their expectations kept them from recognizing their Messiah.

God was moving, and they missed it.

The truth is, God is still moving today. The Holy Spirit is still working in hearts. People around the world are coming to faith in Jesus Christ. The kingdom of God continues to advance.

May we guard our hearts against the same blindness. Knowledge is a gift, but it can become a hindrance if we allow it to harden our expectations.

Let us remain humble before God.

Let us keep our hearts open.

And may we never allow our understanding to keep us from seeing what God is doing right in front of us.

With Gratitude, Pastor Jesse