Because The Lord Has Need Of You ... This Blessed Day! - Part 1953

And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, saying, "Go ye into the village over against you, in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, "Why do ye loose him?" thus shall ye say unto him, "Because the Lord hath need of him." (Luke 19:29-31)

And as we know from the scriptural account, the disciples were sent their way to locate the colt. When they did, what emerged was just as Jesus had said. The owners thereof said unto the disciples, "Why loose ye the colt?" And they said, "The Lord hath need of him."  And they brought Jesus the colt, and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as He went, they spread their clothes in the way.

And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, "Blessed be the King that comes in the Name of the Lord: peace in Heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:37-38; Luke 13:17; Luke 18:43; II Kings 9:13)

What happened next? Some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto Jesus, "Rebuke Thy disciples." And Jesus answered and said unto them, "I tell you that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." And when Jesus was come near, He beheld the city and wept over it. (Luke 20:39-41)

A couple of points worth noting here. First, the Pharisees marched along side the multitude of disciples, because, as the scripture states, these were "from among the multitude." (Luke 19:39) Second, Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, knowing that "they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear." (Luke 19:11) But most of all, when Jesus rode on that colt that had never had a person on its back before, the multitude of disciples rejoiced and praised God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen.

And that praise was directed at Jesus whom the multitudes praised, saying, "Blessed be the King that comes in the Name of the Lord ..." (Luke 19:38)

And what Name is referred to here? The blessed name that was already declared by the angel of God even before Mary conceived. Yes, the Name of JESUS wherein the prophesied Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us, was making His entrance to the city on a colt. (Matthew 1:21-23) And the multitudes rejoiced because the prophecy that had been told from afore, was now coming to pass.

But the Pharisees did not want them to praise Jesus, even though they would have known too that when the multitudes praised God with a loud voice, that, as the scriptures point out, there would be peace in heaven and glory in the highest. And that also, if the people should hold their peace, as the Pharisees demanded, even the very stones in the earth would immediately cry out. It is no wonder that when Jesus was come near, He beheld the city and wept.

But then Jesus said, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side. And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knew not the time of Thy visitation." (Luke 19:42-44; Hebrews 3:13; Acts 10:36; Romans 5:1; Jeremiah 6:3, 6; I Kings 9:7-8; Matthew 24:2; I Peter 2:12)

That blessed day when the dayspring from on high would visit His people. That blessed day when God declared peace and good will toward all. That blessed day when God Himself chose to prepare Himself a body so that you and I might have salvation. That blessed day that because of His kindness and love for us, toward man He appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)

To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. The Word that was God made flesh and dwelt among us so that we could behold His glory! (John 1:10-11; John 1:14)

As the apostles later declared to the people, "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, WHICH HE HATH PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD!" (Acts 20:27-28)

This is why Jesus could say, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me!" (John 14:6) This is why Jesus could say, "I am the Bread of Life!" This is why Jesus said, repeatedly, he who thirsts, let him come unto Me, wherein when I give him living water, he will never thirst again.

Indeed, as the multitudes declared -- "Blessed be the King that comes in the Name of the Lord!"

His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew w1:21-23) Don't miss this blessed opportunity to desire the King of kings in your heart, for this day, is the day of salvation.

Stand in the offering plate.