The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: John Durant
SCRIPTURE VERSE
“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Matt 21:9 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Several years ago, after ministering the word of the Lord, a Christian sister came up to me and praised and thanked me for the sermon that I had preached. Then she made a monetary contribution toward my development in the ministry of God’s word. The experience helped me to realize that I had been set apart by God to be a minister of His gospel.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Praising and esteeming other people’s virtues, skills, and abilities is a worthy undertaking. However, no other human deserves the level of praise that Jesus receives when he enters Jerusalem as the soon-to-be-sacrificed Servant King. “Son of David” points to Jesus as the royal Messiah in the line of David. He was the expected king and deliverer of the Jews—the One who would fulfill God’s promises to David regarding the eternal reign of David’s offspring (2 Sam 7:12–16) and bring the rule of God to the earth. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” echoes Psalm 118 and the psalmist’s cry to God for salvation and prosperity (Ps 118:26). However, it is doubtful whether the crowds in Matthew fully understand the significance of praising Jesus in the way that they do. Many of them are probably just going along with the emotion of the occasion.
EXHORTATION
Emotion alone should not move us to praise God. Knowledge and understanding of His Word in the context of current events, fulfillment of predicted happenings, and the outworking of His kingdom in our world should lead us to praise God for His sovereign control over history. Let us praise God for who He is and what He is doing.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, glory and honor be to You through our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for revealing who You are and what You are doing for us. Thank You for the Scriptures You inspired to give us knowledge, wisdom, and insight into understanding some aspects of what is happening in this world. We lift our voices and hearts in praise to You because You deserve it. May You continue to help us by Your Spirit to always maintain an attitude of praise to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.