The Road to Glory Heads Through Jerusalem

As most families of faith did, Abba’s House just observed Palm Sunday – the celebration named for Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a colt among palm branches being waved and outer garments and cloaks being laid on the ground, just as a crowd would do to welcome royalty. What a treat to have our Abba’s House Kids singing “Hosanna!” to open our service then march while waving palm branches throughout our crowd gathered to worship the King of Glory!

Just as our families were joyful, clapping, singing, and welcoming the King of Glory on Palm Sunday, so were the people welcoming Jesus riding into Jerusalem in John 12:12-16 just before His crucifixion.

Let’s take a look at the crowd assembled for the Holy Week in Jerusalem. Within every crowd, you find people with different motives, needs, and levels of commitment.

Jerusalem’s population swelled as the sacred week of Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread drew faithful Jews from around the entire region. Just imagine a big sports championship weekend in one of your favorite sports to conjure up images of the number of people pouring in for the annual gathering.

Jerusalem during this window of time would have been a beehive swarming as the City of David featured the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and Temple leaders in their finest robes. The sounds of lambs would certainly have been heard throughout the area with the fare of the Passover Seder to include roasted lamb as part of the traditional meal. The massive crowd would have been assembled for religious tradition and Jewish heritage.

Jesus’ road to glory took Him into Jerusalem, fulfilling God’s Word of the Old Testament – Zechariah 9:9 – on the back of a colt never ridden as a symbol of peace. Entering in his processional with him, Jesus’ disciples, his loyal followers and messengers took it all in, knowing words spoken by Jesus were coming true. He was welcomed as the Son of David into the very city where the most cherished Jewish king reigned.

The dusty street was lined with various folks witnessing His triumphant entry as the word spread that this rabbi was coming, the one who had healed the sick, gave the blind their sight, and was speaking of forgiving the sins of all humanity.

Some in that crowd assembled had needs that drew them to Jesus. They sought healing from any number of diseases that would have disabled and threatened their lives in a time with very little medical success in treatment. Others in that crowd would be names we might recognize from Jesus’ miracles who had received their miracles:

• The woman with the issue of blood for 12 years who grabbed the hem of Jesus’ garment.

• Lazarus, the resurrected brother of Mary and Martha, and Jesus’ friend.

• Blind Bartimeus who begged for charity as Jesus passed and called out, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

• Man with the withered hand

• 10 lepers who were told to show themselves to the priest.

• The paralyzed man from the pool of Bethsaida.

• The young married couple whose wedding celebration was spared embarrassment by Jesus’ first miracle of blushing the water to wine.

• And likely many who partook of the miraculous meals when more than 4,000 and 5,000 were fed.

The crowd who cheered Jesus’ entry certainly included those who had needs as well as those whose needs had been met.

The crowd also included those whose expectations for a Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament was of a warrior king who would address the political and military oppression of the day at the hands of the Roman Empire that demanded loyalty, permitted brutality as part of its means to the government’s end, and used execution and imprisonment along with any other form of punishment to ensure conformity and compliance.

There was even the religious crowd who hated Jesus and envied His following. Their self-righteousness was unwelcoming to the humble Rabbi from Nazareth Who often saluted them with “Woes” and terms like, “Brood of vipers.”

Regardless of the crowd’s motives, needs, or commitments, all had a universal need. They needed the Savior. They needed a Redeemer.

Today, you likely fit into one of these groups who welcome Jesus into your own home, your own family of faith, and into your daily life. You may very well be a supporter whose loyalty fits the old biker saying from the 50s, now often spoken to indicate deep loyalty. You may be a “ride or die” friend of Jesus.

You may be one in need. You may be desperate to find healing; desperate to overcome a gripping addiction or life-disabling circumstance or failure; or desperate to see life worth living after enduring great hardship.

You may be looking, as many are, for a political savior to return some sense of stability to society’s order after over a decade of pure political hatred, the weaponization of government against its citizens, and what appears to be another failed institution of man that can no longer be trusted.

Ask yourself. Exactly how do I see Jesus? Do I have a need of salvation, like all do? Do I have a physical need, beyond the spiritual? Do I spend most of my energy looking for some political leader, instead of the King of kings?

This Easter season, why don’t you welcome Him into your life? If you’re near Chattanooga, TN, please come worship with us at Abba’s House on Easter Sunday at 10:30am.  If you’re outside our area, join us on our online campus at abbashouse.com/live.

Go deeper into our look at Palm Sunday by watching the full message from Pastor Ronnie.

The Mystery of Passover

The Bible is no random assembly of writings. The events recorded aren’t just a chronicle of events of people groups from the ancient of days seeking to know God.

Instead, the Bible, from beginning to end is God’s plan for the redemption of man - salvation.

The Old Testament or Covenant records events that occurred to reflect the pattern, plan, and purposes of God the Father. He was painting a picture for all of us – all of mankind – to understand the need for a savior and the ways to recognize the Savior.

If we could stand on the line of time, beginning in Genesis as God the Trinity declared, “Let there be light,” and shot a metaphorical bow with a line attached to land at the end of days with the final “Amen” of Revelation’s conclusion, we have an arc. That arc of history ties the events of the Old and New Testament together, removing the manmade barriers of chronological time and the events we focus on rather than see through the eyes of God Who permitted them to occur for His use and glory.

As the Holy Days of Spring approach, the mystery of the Passover is a supernatural path that makes a way for sinful humanity to approach and fellowship with the Holy God, their Creator. Every redemptive act in the Old Covenant or Testament, or act of buying back or purchase, points to the coming of Jesus Christ as Savior that we read of and can experience as our own at the cross in the New Testament.

The Passover was an event established by God Himself and set for all generations to come to experience freedom and independence. The first Passover and each one to follow pointed to Jesus Christ. Without the blood of the innocent Passover Lamb, each would bear the judgment of God for their own sins.

In Exodus 12-13:10, the Lord God Jehovah spoke to Moses and his brother Aaron. He told them with detail what each Hebrew household is to do to avoid the final plague promised to fall over all of Egypt. God’s people were held in literal bondage; they were enslaved as property. This final plague would ensure their freedom and release.

But both the chosen people of God and those who were unbelievers would endure the plague. The difference —  believers were covered by the sacrificial blood; the unbelievers were not and held the full debt of their sins.

Taking an innocent lamb without blemish, sacrificing its life, then applying its blood to the doorposts and lintel marked the home as God’s possession, His redeemed.

Redemption is an accounting term which means to regain possession of or to gain possession of for an exchange and payment or clearing of debt. God’s instructions were to give the way to be His people, His possession. Any home unmarked with the blood of innocent lambs would bear the debt of their own sin, guilt, and be judged...harshly.

Why? Why must something innocent die for sin?

God is holy. He cannot abide with sin. Those of sin cannot access Him and His Presence. Even in the Garden of Eden, the first sin required the shedding of blood to cover the sins of Adam and Eve while the skins of the sacrificed animal covered their shame.

The Passover was preceded by Noah’s actions of covering the entire wooden ark with a water-proof resin that kept the boat of redemption afloat as the world of evil was being judged. When Yahweh, the great I AM looked down upon a fallen earth during the flood, He saw a wooden vessel covered in the red pitch.

God saw it. Do you? Do you see that from beginning to end of days, and at all times, no one is able to approach God except through the established manner, as ordained by God, that involved the blood?

Jesus Christ became the Passover Lamb. The cross was the altar on which He was offered by the Jewish leadership threatened by His simple Gospel and the Romans demanding loyalty to the god of government.

Jesus was innocent. Without blemish. He had to be led to the slaughter for the forgiveness – the pardon and removal – of the debt of sin, which is death or separation from God.

Jesus became the Passover Lamb Whose blood not just covers our sins, but removes them from our accounting ledger of life. The power of the blood of Jesus shed continues today and for eternity. The purpose of that blood is to cleanse us with forgiveness of sins and the guilt of our sin (don’t miss this!) as well as marking the doorposts and lintels of our lives.

What does God see when He looks upon your life? Are you uncovered and carrying the debt of your own sin and guilt? Are you covered by the matchless, sacrificial blood offered in unconditional love by Jesus Christ Who became the Passover Lamb fulfilling the entire Old Testament and making you the prized possession of Jehovah our Father?

Let this season of Palm Sunday, Passover, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday mean more. Read Exodus 12-13:10 then compare that to Matthew 26:17-30. Embrace the Judeo-Christian heritage of the Old and New Covenants revealed in these verses. Jesus Christ was and is the Passover Lamb who died for YOU!

Learn more about Passover from Pastor Ronnie’s message.

Looking for a Miracle? Start listening for a Prophetic Word!

As the Easter Season nears, many are looking for their own miracles and need a miracle in their lives. Is that you?

Often, the Road to Glory and the miracle of promise begins with a prophetic word. John records seven of these spoken by Jesus Christ in the Gospel of John that should offer us hope, promise, and strengthen our faith.

These seven “I am” statements made by Jesus reflect on the declaration of Jehovah to Abraham when He asked for God’s Name. I AM that I AM.

Jesus declared Himself to be:

• The Bread of Life, Who uniquely and supernaturally satisfies in contrast to things of this world, in material goods, wealth, or attainment.

• The Light of the World, Who pierces the darkness of destruction, disunity, and despair in a chaotic culture. If you have Jesus, you have an assignment to reflect His light as part of your purpose.

• The Door for the Sheep, Who laid down His life to give access to all of humanity to the covenant relationship with God and the blessed promises to those who enter in.

• The Good Shepherd, Who pursues the lost, tracks down the strays, disciplines the rebels, comforts the weary and hurting, and provides for His own.

• The Resurrection and the Life, Who gives His Spirit, the very One Who raised Christ Jesus from a tomb after a brutal death on a criminal cross of the Roman Government. Jesus removed any fear of death for those who have accepted Him and believe.

• The Way, the Truth, and the Life, Who makes the singular way to God the Father in this covenant relationship of adoption as a child of the Most High with eternal salvation.

• The True Vine, Who grafts in the branch of each believer to give eternal life through His Spirit, eternal power through the connection to life, and the fruit of the Spirit that reflects the nature of the vine. Good fruit comes from branches connected to Jesus. Bad fruit comes from the connection to this world and its sick culture.

In John 11:25-27, Jesus teaches us about the prophetic word spoken to His dear friends which applies today and forever. He is the resurrection and life, but our circumstances may speak louder than God’s Word, if we’re not faithful in our reading, praying, and abiding to the vine.

Jesus loved these friends. Jesus taught us that being connected to friends and family matters. But God’s Word says that Jesus delayed His response to a desperate letter from Mary and Martha about the deathly illness of their brother, Lazarus. Jesus waited two days after receiving word of his dear friend’s illness.

Have you ever gotten impatient with God? Have you questioned Him for not showing up on your terms? You’re not alone. Gideon, Moses, David, and many more wondered where God was in their need. The explanation lies in John 11:4 as to why we experience delays.

“This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God.”

Do you see delays and even the answers of “No” to your prayers as for God’s glory?

When Jesus did arrive, Martha confronted Jesus in great sorrow and anger as her brother laid dead on the fourth day in a tomb – wrapped, decaying, with the smell of death emanating from the tomb. As Jesus exchanged words with Martha inquiring of her beliefs, He saw that she believed in eternal resurrection.

This purposed occurrence yielded many things, but two are especially important.

Jesus wanted Martha, Mary, and all present at the moment to understand that prophetic words are for the future days, like the resurrection of the dead and in heaven, but also for the here and now. This was such a time.

Do you have a current need? Do you need a now miracle? What are you doing to speak the words of promise declared by Christ? He is the Resurrection and the Life! He is the one who calls forth our dreams entombed in the death of our doubt and drama. Jesus is the One Who is well able to speak the grave clothes off our tangled lives in bondage to sin, fear, addictions, illness, whatever your need.

This prophetic word which produced a great miracle made its way to the High Jewish Court, the Sanhedrin. The Jewish leaders’ power was threatened, and they envied Jesus’ following. Oh, dear friends, never underestimate the rage, vengeance, and destructive responses from established systems of this world in response to a prophetic word that comes to life because of your faith and the faith of all believers operating on the Word of God and the promises He has made.

Jesus’ words to release a dead Lazarus from the clutches of death are the same words we must speak, believe, and live today in a dead culture that’s rotting before our eyes and a dead Church that is better known for our disunity, lack of power, condemnation, lack of lives changed through salvations, wayward focus and priority on things of this world instead of God’s Kingdom come and His will being done by those who are supposed to bear the resemblance to Jesus.

Today, Jesus is calling you out. “Come forth!” Remove the grave clothes and live!

Go deeper in study and learn more about a prophetic miracle. Listen to the complete teaching by Pastor Ronnie.