This week our church council chairman, Andrew McCafferty, messaged council members to see if everyone was free for our monthly meeting. The replies came in one after the other, I am free, I am free, I am free. I laughed because they sounded really excited about their freedom! Yet as I thought about Thea, Andrew, Dean, Bek, Peter and Geoff, their text messages were equally true for meeting availability, as for the joy they feel about their freedom in Christ. I have sat in many meetings with these leaders, and my faith has been inspired by their love for God and his church, and their faith that Jesus can and will do impossible things to provide freedom for many more people through his church at The Grove.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy week when the greatest of all leaders, King Jesus, arrived in Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The crowd turned out and waved palm branches, celebrating Jesus as the one they hoped was going to lead Israel into deliverance from their enemies. However, Jesus came to win a much greater victory for us all, a victory that would free us from sin and death. They wanted a military King, and they got a Saviour King who through humility, suffering and sacrifice would provide salvation to all who would put their faith in him.
We don’t have to look far to see how important leadership in our world is right now. In a time of increasing global uncertainty, conflict, natural disasters and trade wars; many wonder what does good leadership look like? There is no better leader or example in history than Jesus; the one who came to this world to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus is the kind of leader who is completely motivated by love for all people. He is wise without limit and has the power and authority to accomplish everything he promises. Why wouldn’t anyone want a leader like that? Of course Jesus has the right to lead us, but in love gives us the choice to submit to his leadership as Lord and Saviour.
Let’s pray that through our Easter services next weekend, that many would recognise the power of love expressed through Jesus death a resurrection. That many would hear and respond to the call of Jesus to save them from sin and death, and lead them into a new life following him. On Friday we will survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, and on Sunday celebrate the Risen King and the new life he brings with two baptisms of young adults. Come, let's worship our Saviour King together with our family, friends and neighbourhood this Easter.
Happy Palm Sunday,
Marty