March 27, 2024

Some years ago in Pennsylvania, a distraught man was threatening to jump off a bridge. A crowd began to form as police and others tried to talk the man back to safety. People in the crowd below were yelling at the man, begging him to please not do it. They shouted words of hope and let him know how much his life was worth. The jumper, in his anger and pain, shouted obscenities back at the crowd, telling them it was his life, and he could do what he wanted. Before long the crowd began to chant for the man to jump. The man eventually surrendered to the authorities, much to the disappointment of the crowd below.
Isn’t it funny how fast people can turn on you? People can sing your praises one minute and then curse your name in the next. People who say they’d take a bullet for you can quickly become the ones taking shots at you! Not long ago I was watching a basketball game on TV. When the home team was introduced, the crowd gave each player a standing ovation. Later in the game, when the team got behind, the crowd began booing them. Welcome to the world of fickle people.
That is what Jesus was about to experience. Riding into Jerusalem, the crowd was cheering Him and praising God. They were laying down their garments and palm branches as one would do for royal kings or great heroes. But in just a few days, everything would change. Shouts of, “Hosanna,” would become shouts of, “Crucify Him!” Maybe that’s why the Bible tells us that Jesus wouldn’t trust Himself fully to people. Because He knew how fickle their hearts could be.
So prepare your heart, those of you who are giving yourself in service to God and His Kingdom. Make sure you’re doing it for God and not for the crowd. Because the very people who sing your praises today may be throwing you under the bus tomorrow. The very ones who may tell you how wonderful you are this week may be calling for your head next week. Jesus came to Jerusalem to do His Father’s work. Whether the crowd shouted for Him or against Him, it didn’t matter. He wasn’t there to make them happy or make them like Him. He was there to please an audience of One. Make sure you’re doing it for that audience of One as well. That’s God’s Word for you today.