SEEING THE BLESSED KING ALIVE!
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” —Luke 19:38
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” —Matthew 21:9
For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ —Matthew 23:39
The vast majority of people did not truly understand why Jesus came the first time. They were hoping for relief from their Roman occupiers. They did not realize that He came to die, to be an atonement for the sins of the world, for every person past, present and future. Even his disciples did not understand this when Jesus clearly told them what would happen—
“Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.’ The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.” —Luke 18:31-34
Jesus condemned the religious leaders who—
- Shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces (Matthew 23:13)
- They themselves were not entering into the kingdom of heaven
- Travel over land and sea to make a convert twice as much a child of hell as they are (Matthew 23:15)
- Were blind guides (Matthew 23:16)
- Were blind fools (Matthew 23:17)
- Neglect the more important matters of the law— justice, merch and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23)
- Look clean on the outside, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence ((Matthew 23:25)
- Appear outwardly righteous to people but are full of hypocrisy and wickedness (Matthew 23:28)
- Testify against themselves that they are descendants of those who murdered the prophets (Matthew 23:31)
- All righteous blood shed from Abel to Zechariah is upon them (Matthew 23:35)
After saying this to the religious leaders of that day. Jesus went on to say to these Words about Jerusalem—
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” —Matthew 23:37-39
Thank You, Dear Father, that You drew me to Jesus and showed me Who He is and what He has done and will do. Now, may I be faithful in telling others in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Yes, may I do so out of love for You and for the benefit of others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70qk6tLHht4&list=RD70qk6tLHht4&start_radio=1