Riding a Donkey

Today is Palm Sunday. We remember the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on a donkey. People shouting, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" Luke 19:38 NIV. A week later, others would be shouting, "Crucify him." And Jesus loved them all.

I've been thinking this week about my sin and "sin" in general. Jesus knew my heart, my depravity before he allowed those nails to be driven into his hands and feet. He knew I would fail him over and over again while hanging in agony. This idea is expressed in a song from my younger years, called, "He Knew Me, Yet He Loved Me."

To live for Christ is not a matter of rules and regulations that some other guy has deemed right and wrong. Living for Christ is just letting Jesus love us so much that we surrender into His arms. (Here comes another song!) "All To Jesus, I surrender; all to Him I freely give..."

A long time ago, when James was almost 3, I would try and get him to rest while I took a nap. It was during nap time he would request his favorite story. "Tell me about Jesus riding the donkey," he would ask. It was the week of Easter, that James prayed to Jesus to thank Him for paying for his sins and saving him. I'll never forget James raising his hands into the air (while lying in bed) and saying, "Praise the Lord." Will our children teach their children these wonderful stories?