Exodus Devotional | Exodus and Easter, Day 4: Jesus Died for Your Doubt
The Book of Exodus
The Greatness of God to His People in Need
Exodus and Easter, Day 4
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” - (John 15:26-27)
Palm Sunday was just a few days ago for us. The original Palm Sunday was roughly two thousand years ago. I want to take today’s devotional for us to sit under a somber warning. Don’t worry--warnings are a sign of love and grace.
On the Sunday Jesus entered Jerusalem, thousands of people laid palm branches on the road and streets before him. Thousands of people hailed him as king, shouting, “Hosanna!” They calling on him to save them, the Jewish people, from Rome’s dictatorial rule. As he rode his donkey, thousands of people who were captivated by his miracles and curious teachings cheered him on.
What did it take? Five? Six days for so many of those voices to change their cries from “Hosanna!” to “Crucify him”?
How long did it take for the shouts of boasting joy in the mouths of Israelites to turn to bitter accusation there, at the shores of the Red Sea?
How quickly and how easily does our strength of faith leave us? The clarity and happiness you have in the Lord so speedily evaporates as pain, anxiety, and trial returns. The conviction you had at church on Sunday melts when you face the uncertainty of your career, your relationships, your money, and your mortality wake you up the next morning.
Pastor John Piper asks us, “Why do you think you will wake up and still be a Christian tomorrow morning?” If you do wake up another day, believing and trusting in Jesus, it won’t be to your credit--your strength of will, your wisdom, your reason or logic. It will be because the Lord has kept you and held tightly to you.
Satan and your own sinful flesh will do anything--anything bad or good--to turn the sweetness of belief into the bitterness of doubt. Whatever it takes to turn your hosanna into hate.
That’s why tomorrow is so important. Good Friday. The day which Jesus takes our betrayal and weakness and sin. The day he dies, not just for his eleven disciples...he dies for many in the fickle crowd, lining the streets of Jerusalem. Even if the words of your heart and mind taste of bitter, weak, accusing doubt, Jesus still dies for you.
So, add your voice to the throng of those who hail Christ as King. Yes, shout “hosanna!” And humbly, with fear and trembling, knowing how much you need his mercy, guard your lips from bitter doubt. Don’t abandon the Lord in these dark days.
And, happily I tell you, Jesus died even for your weakness and stumbling and fearfulness and doubt. His work on the cross tomorrow covers even this.
What is bringing you fear and doubt as to the goodness of the Lord? What’s making you doubt whether Jesus really did die for you? What’s bringing about bitterness in your heart toward the Lord?
All those things (above) are preaching a sermon to your soul. I think it’s time you called on the Lord to preach a sermon back at them. Pray a preached sermon to your self. Tell yourself the gospel that you may not even feel like believing today. Call on the Holy Spirit who resides with and in you to preach saving faith and truth to your soul.
If you don’t have it now, make sure to get some bread and wine/red juice (from grapes!) so you can take communion with your church tomorrow (Good Friday) and Sunday (Easter!).