JESUS PURSUES US (John 12:12-15, 27-33,41-43; John 15:15-16)

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was narrated by all four gospel writers. He was determined, purposeful, and intentional to go to this city despite how the people receive Him with mixed reactions. Some of them thought He would be a political Messiah, the one to set them free from the Roman empire. However, Jesus came into Jerusalem not on a mighty horse, stallion, or chariot — He came in humbly on a donkey, a lowly beast unfitting for a king. In fact, Jesus wept while entering Jerusalem because He knew how the rest of the people will respond to Him. Some of the people who shouted “Hosanna!” would be shouting “Crucify him!” in a few days.

Jesus pursues and longs for us. He wants to be in a relationship with us. He has come and offered friendship with us (John 15:15-16). Not only are we chosen and pursued by God despite of us, but we are also invited into a loving friendship with Him! He wants to make you His friend, close companion, and trusted one, and He wants to journey with you. Do we respond willingly, reject, or become fearful when we realize that Jesus pursues us?

JESUS PROCLAIMS TRUTH (Luke 19:45-48; John 15:14-15; John 14:16-17,25-27)

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, His first stop was the temple. He saw that there were many people selling various animals for the pilgrimage. The temple where God would meet His people and where people would come in and encounter God had been made into a place of business and money-making. Jesus drove out the merchants and cleansed out the temple, proclaiming the truth (Luke 19:45-46). Jesus upholds the truth of God in our lives over other pursuits, things that preoccupy us, and things we think satisfy us. Whatever truth the Father revealed to Jesus, He also makes known to us (John 15:14-15). That is how we know that we are passionately loved by Jesus.

When we passionately heed God’s word, it turns our lives around and changes us forever! Rediscover your passion for the Word of God. Cultivate a lifestyle of prayer and reading His Word, and let it transform you. Not only do we have the truth of God’s Word, but we also have the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). The Holy Spirit helps us, and renews our minds and hearts (John 14:25-27).

JESUS PERSONIFIES LOVE (John 13:1,4-5,12-15,17; John 15:16-17; Luke 22:41-42; Luke 23:33-34,39-43; Mark 15:33-34; Luke 23:46)

Jesus loved His disciples to the end. In His love, He washed their feet, an act usually reserved for the lowest of slaves. After having the Passover meal with them and washing their feet, He found himself in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus wept but knew His purpose and prayed that God’s will be done (Luke 22:41-42).

The worst then followed: Jesus, the Son of God sent to save us, was crucified for our sake. He was crucified between two criminals, and as He hung on the cross, He still prayed for mercy upon the people (Luke 23:33-34). Jesus personified love in His ultimate sacrifice on the Cross — and we need only to believe in Him to join Him in paradise (Luke 23:39-43). This is the greatest love we could ever experience.

The true shape of love is the cross where God showed His love for us. The Father turned His face from the Son, and in this moment, Jesus paid for all our sins through His passion and by His death (Mark 15:33-34). This is the true example of His passionate love for us: a love that endures, suffers, and fulfills its calling and purpose — a story that does not end on the cross, but ultimately begins with His resurrection.