Today we celebrate the Triumphant Entry of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem. But the question is, “what makes it triumphant?” In His entry into Jerusalem, the Lord defied all the odds against him. He knew that bad things, such as sufferings, beatings, denial, betrayal and death surely would come to him. Nothing seems to appear victorious or triumphant. Nevertheless, he entered Jerusalem and faced all the sufferings and death waiting for him. It was the supreme example of triumph coming out of apparent catastrophe. Jesus made His passion or sufferings, His triumph. He did not surrender to the enemy till he reached Golgotha and shout “it is finished”, and rose from the dead on the third day.
His entry was welcomed by jubilant and adoring crowd shouting Hosanna did not bloat His ego. Rather He remained humble in the midst of too much adulation and exultation. Once inside the city, the Lord was able to show to the crowds that indeed He is God and the temple is his dwelling when he overturned the tables and said, “My house will be called a house of prayer…” (Matthew 21:13). His intense and fervent prayer in the garden where his sweat turned into blood almost made him surrender his mission but victoriously he said, “Father not my will but your will be done.” (Luke 22:42) The denial of Peter, the betrayal of Judas could have easily make anyone angry and lose his composure, but the Lord Jesus remained humble, composed and serene never complaining about the experience. Carrying the cross toward Golgotha when he was already tired and exhausted could have easily made him surrender his will but victoriously he persevered till he reached the mount of skull without complaining not blaming anyone. The climax of it all was the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. It shows that God can be glorified in what appears to be a defeat. This is the moment of Jesus’ greatest triumph. This is the Lord’s finest hour. Jesus made his sufferings His triumph! As Jesus is being crucified, he looks anything but a king. He is being taunted and mocked. Yet, the irony is that as Pilate organizes for the notice towards be prepared (in three languages so everyone can read it) (John 19:19-20), God’s purposes are being fulfilled in proclaiming to the whole world that Jesus is God’s King. He is the King of love. This eternal King triumphed through the seeming weakness of death on a cross. It is finished! Jesus triumphed over darkness, evil and sin. Jesus completed the task of bearing the world’s sins in his own body.
The Lord’s triumph was the greatest victory in the history of the world had been won. This is the triumph of good over evil, of life over death. His life appears to be a horrible failure. Hate seems to have conquered love. But in fact, the conquered one, who has apparently failed, has in fact triumphed and opened up a source of new life, a new vision for humankind and a new road to peace and unity.
We too can turn our apparent defeat into victory when we stay close with Jesus and remember that God can be glorified in defeat. The greatest triumphs in our lives sometimes occur when the circumstances seem to be hardest. Learn from the Lord. He is our Great Coach Trainor. He trains our hands for war (Read and study the following: Psalm 144:1; Psalm 18:34-35; Psalm 68:21-27; Psalm 60:11-12; Habakkuk 3:17-19)
Today we are facing the greatest battle of our life – the covid19.
Our suffering Will Become Our Triumph just like the Lord!
Let us defeat this virus and make it our triumph in the Lord.
Let us pray to the Lord and see a revival of worship.
Let revival come.
Let us overcome.
Let us triumph in the Lord.
Let us not forget…Greater is He that makes us overcome! We will triumph in the power of His might! We will shine in His glorious light! We will triumph like never before!
Let us be determined to triumph! Be humble in the face of victory. Be strong in the Lord. He is our victory.
“With God we will gain victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” (Psalm 108:13)
The Lord’s entry into Jerusalem was indeed triumphant and nothing could even equal it. Because He triumphed, we His people will also Triumph in the Lord. Glory be to God!
Pastor Joseph Samson
Ways to Have Home Church Worship Service
Posted on April 5, 2020.
