“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me.” John 15:26
Dear Ones:
Palm Sunday is a day when we remember the “triumphal entrance” of Jesus into Jerusalem, riding on the back of a donkey. Instead of an army with which to conquer His adversaries, He came as one that was “meek and lowly of heart.” Why such a contrast between this “lowly” Messiah, and the proud authorities, both religious and secular, of His day? The answer lies in His words to Pilate: “My kingdom is NOT of this world…for this cause I came into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.” (John 18:36,37) Why do we celebrate Palm Sunday? It is because it is the prelude to the most monumental, and tragic, occurrence in the history of the world. For thousands of years, Christ the Messiah’s coming had been announced through the testimony of the writers of the Scriptures. Now, in the span of one week, announced by Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, there will be the fulfillment of God’s declaration to the world: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulders.” (Is. 9:6) It must be noted also, that with this “announcement of the coming of the King,” and the consequent sacrifice of the Son of God on Calvary, to pay for the sins of the entire world, there would be set in motion another event, the effect of which would change the world, for time and eternity. It would be revealed in Jesus’ words, “…the promise of the Father,” that giving of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, by which Christ would BE with, and IN, those who belonged to Him. The triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem would announce, in the most lowly terms, that the salvation of the world was at hand, when God in Christ would deal completely with man’s sin, and come to dwell in his heart, and soul, making of him a new creation, one accepted by God, at peace with God. What then is the practical application to such a revelation? It lies in the provision of God by the Spirit, and the unveiling of the truth of His motive, purpose, and means, by which Christ dwells in the heart by faith.
The Lord Jesus, before He was betrayed, spoke a good deal concerning the Comforter who was to be given by the Father, sent in answer to prayer, and who would work in a certain way, accomplishing the purpose of God. He said that this Comforter, …the Spirit of truth, would abide with the disciples forever, dwelling IN them. (Jn. 14:16,17) He would go on to declare that the Comforter would teach the disciples ALL THINGS, and bring all things to their remembrance which He had told them. (14:26) Continuing to speak of the Comforter, He would say that He, the Spirit, would testify of Him, (15:26) revealing, demonstrating, and confirming the truth and reality of His Person and work. Finally, Jesus would say that the Spirit of truth would show the disciples things to come. (16:13) Encapsulating the whole of Jesus’ discourse and teaching of this Comforter, He would declare this: “He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew (or reveal) it unto you.” (16:14) Here lies the great, and fundamental, ministry of this promised Spirit from God, that wondrous provision on this side of Calvary, whereby sinful man can LIVE by the power of God for the glory of God. The Spirit WILL always glorify Christ, and He will always give that which is OF Christ, to be revealed to the heart, and through the life of the believer.
Dear Father, we praise and thank Thee for Palm Sunday, the prelude of the crucifixion of Christ, and the glorious day of His resurrection. We thank Thee also for sending Your Spirit of Truth, to be the marvelous, Almighty Comforter, to reveal the things of Christ TO us, IN and THROUGH us, thus, glorifying Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad