By: Svetlana Papazov
Story
I remember a time, a couple years ago, when we planned an event in the spring. At the beginning of the week of the event, the weather was beautiful, but on the day of the event it because so cold, and rainy, and we were under a tornado watch. It was the worst time for the weather to have changed, since, for a month, we had planned a workshop to help people see their creative bent and unleash their entrepreneur within. We had 30 or so people signed up to come. Of course only a fraction showed up. The weather had stolen the enthusiasm about the event and had turned the attendance from confirmed to no shows. It was so easy for the weather to change the attitudes of people who one day were excited to about becoming small business owners, and the next, allowed things like weather to change their attitude about their future.
I am sure we could all sit down for a cup of coffee and swap stories of unfortunate events that changed people’s minds and they had gone from excited, committed, adoring, praising, coming, to disinterested, canceling, accusing, or tearing us down.
Q1: What are positive and negative situations that have influenced your attitude?
The Easter week is one of the most profoundly diverse weeks in Jesus’ life.
It starts with A SUNNY FORECAST, everyone seemingly loving Jesus and being ready to crown him King, but the mood of the crowd changed, kind of on a wimp, as easy as the weather changes in the spring. By the end of the week, people were demanding Jesus’ death and his crucifixion.
This moment in Jesus' life reveal two types of attitudes: Human and Divine.
Part of the Easter week is about Cloaks. As the Savior (Jesus) approached Jerusalem (rode down the road toward the capital city,) two throngs of people converged upon him – a massive crowd coming out of the city; another group following him.Some “paved” the road with their garments; Spreading garments before a dignitary was a symbol of submission.
Jesus was openly declaring he was their king. And the attitude of the people and of Jesus aligned that day.
Q2: Does your attitude align with Jesus? Do you accept him as King of your life? What are the ways that you show surrender to God’s will in your life?
God desires that in our lives we’ll pause to consider Jesus and welcome him as the King of our domains, because then we’ll be able to follow his example as the one who loves best and does everything for the benefit of another.
Q3: Do you take time to pause and focus on Jesus during your day?
Some “paved” the road with their garments; others with layers of leaves, at least some of which were from palm trees hence the expression, “Palm Sunday.” Palm branches were employed as token of victory.
The Jewish disciples doubtless were expressing the hope that Jesus would be the one to lead them to victory over their oppressor (Rome).
But while the crowd's imagination only spread to the outward liberation, Jesus was going to free them from the inward enchainment of sin, desperation, depression, anxieties. He was going to bring a better way to do life as the Messiah, the one who saves us from all sin, injustice, disappointment and assures us an eternal life with God.
Reflection: Jesus’ attitude is always to save. Will you invite him to do this in your life? What are you holding on to as your own savior? Put it as a willing palm branch before Jesus’ feet & let him walk into your circumstance as your savior.
Prayer: God we thank you for your attitude of serving and saving us. Help us to accept that type of love in our lives, and allow us to approach others with the same attitude. Amen.
Svetlana Papazov is Lead Pastor and Founder of Real Life Church, President/Founder of Real Life Center for Entrepreneurial and Leadership Excellence, a first of its kind model of church and business incubator that educates in entrepreneurship, leadership and faith praxis, and author of the book, “Church for Monday.”