Do you get mad, sad, or glad?

Every day we have conversations, hear news reports, or read the opinions of others on social media about the turmoil and lawlessness in our society.  Some people get mad about it and let their anger over the violence and corruption show through their responses.  Some people get sad about it and let their sadness over the injustices they perceive show through their responses.  Some people get glad about it and let their gladness over what they feel is proof that their way is the right way show through their responses.  Do you fall into one of those camps?

As we draw closer to Easter, I want to share an event during Jesus’ last week before the cross that speaks to this – and should speak to us.

We call the Sunday before Easter “Palm Sunday” because it was the day when a large crowd welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem with excitement and the waving of palm branches.  They shouted out passages from Psalm 118 that talked about how the one who comes in the name of the Lord is blessed and how that person destroyed all their enemies.  It was the same psalm used nearly 200 years before when Simon Maccabeus liberated Jerusalem from the Syrians and purified their temple.  That is what they wanted from Jesus.  They wanted a leader to defeat their enemies and set them back on top as leaders in the world.

They were mad at the Romans and glad that Jesus might fulfill their wishes.

However, Jesus did not come to give them political freedom.  He came to give anyone willing to accept His lordship spiritual freedom.  And He knew that they did not want that.  That is when we see sadness.

Luke 19:51 tells us that as Jesus “approached and saw the city, He wept for it.”  They were very close to discovering real freedom, but they did not want it.  They wanted what they wanted – no more and no less.  They were not looking for what could change their lives.

Back to those news items we hear or read about…

What do you think God feels about them?

The only hope for those without hope is Jesus.  The only way for sin to be conquered is Jesus.  The only way for peace to be real is through Jesus.  The only way for sin to be overcome is Jesus.

I urge you to think before you feel (or before you comment on those regular events).  We can vote for people who may help the situation legally, but there is no true change until hearts are changed.  And the only way hearts will change is through Jesus.

Let’s make a pact to share the only true way to change our fallen world.  Let’s be determined to share Jesus.

It is not as scary as we make it out to be.

When Dr. Jay Cook is asked to share a little of himself; his reply is, “Good question.  I ask it a lot.” His delight is sharing that he is a blessed man – married to a wonderful woman (Kristi Cook) – and awed by his two amazing kids (Jameson & Amelia Rose). He has served in ministry for over 30 years and loves to help others in any way he can. Jay is the Associational Missions Strategist for the Leake County Baptist Association, and a part of an amazing new church (3:16 church) in Canton, MS.  He also helps other churches (as he is able) through revivals, conferences, or however God leads.  He shares his thoughts of a man just trying to live for Jesus (and wanting to help others do the same) through his blog at Dr. Jay Cook.

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Books by Dr. Jay Cook