ROLLERCOASTER EMOTIONS

Life is like a rollercoaster... filled with thrills, fear, fun, and yo-yoing emotions.

Your day may be going fine and then suddenly an unexpected bill, phone call, or grumpy clerk at the supermarket, sends you into a downward spiral.

We tweet or post something on Facebook one week, and are thrilled we have so many friends or likes...

The next week however; we may be unfriended by everyone, or harshly criticized for simply sharing our faith or convictions about a particular issue.

Before I started reading the Bible, I suffered from a lot of depression, mood swings, and sometimes panic attacks... but in studying the life of Jesus and othersin scripture, I began to see a pattern of ups and downs that they faced, and realized it's just a part of the cycle of life.

The Bible tells us that satan roams around like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour.

If we are wise, we will read God's word, and turn to him daily in prayer, so we don't get caught off guard, and fall into a pit of despair.

This weekend Christians all over the world will be celebrating Palm Sunday.

A day to remember our Saviour' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Too often though, we forget to emphasize the events prior to and after the ride, so today, I'd like to highlight a few of these topics.

Jesus was loved by many, but soon that love would turn to hatred, betrayal, denial, and his death upon the cross for us.

He willingly laid down his life at age 33, to fulfill scripture and complete God's awesome plan of redemption for you and I.

The news of Jesus and his miracles, had spreading throughout the region; but yet, he was loved and hated by many.

He said... The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

When Peter heard Jesus talk like this, he scolded him openly saying, this must never happen to you...

Jesus loved Peter, but didn't mince words when he was off track.

He boldly turned to Peter and said,

The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. Matthew 21:3

This was done to fulfill the prophesy of Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, the King cometh unto thee: he is just and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

The disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the ass and colt, placed clothes on them and Jesus sat upon the ass.

Outside the city of Jerusalem, there was a great crowd of people. Many laid clothes or branches from the trees on the ground in front of him.

The people cried out saying...

Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21:9

All the people in the city were wondering who this man was and the multitude explained...

This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

About this time, I imagine the disciples were on top of the world.

Wow! they were part of Jesus' inner circle, and maybe the people would make him

KING!... and they could have a high place of honor in his earthly kingdom.

Then the unthinkable happened...

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Matthew 21:11-13

And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. Mark 11:16

Jesus didn't often get angry, but he was furious to see people polluting his Father's house.

The disciples probably just stood there in horror watching all this unfold.

Why would Jesus "rock the boat" and upset the very people who had the power to elevate him to honor?

Scripture tells us that at the beginning and end of his ministry, he cleared the temple of people who bought and sold.

After Jesus cleared the temple, people could freely come to worship and be healed...

And the blind and the lame, then came to him in the temple; and he healed them. Matthew 21:14

The children worshipped him singing... Hosanna to the Son of David.

The scribes and chief priests asked Jesus if he heard what the children were saying?

Jesus said... have you never read the scripture...

Out of the mouth of babes and suckling's thou hast perfected praise. Matthew 21:16

When the chief priests and scribes witnessed the wonderful miracles he did they became jealous and very angry because all the people were astonished at his doctrine. They began plotting how they could destroy him.

Jesus left Jerusalem and spent the night in Bethany.

In the morning he returned to the city and entered the temple. The chief priests and elders saw him teaching and asked him...

By what authority do are you doing these things?

Jesus turned the conversation around, by saying...

I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. Matthew 21:24

He replied... Were the baptisms of John done by the authority from heaven or men?

This confused them, for they feared the people and knew many thought John was a prophet. If they said John received his authority from heaven, others may think they had become followers of Jesus, so they answered...

We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. Matthew 21:27

He then told them a parable...

A man had 2 sons. He told the first one to go and work in the vineyard. He told his father he would not, but afterward repented, and went to work.

The second son, said he would go and work, but didn't go.

Which one did the will of his father?

They replied, the first... and Jesus said to them...

Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. Matthew 21:31-32

He then taught with another parable. A landowner planted a vineyard, dug a winepress, put a hedge around it and built a tower. He leased it to men, and went to a far country.

When the time came for the harvest, he sent servants to receive his portion. The evil men took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.

He sent more servants and they did the same to them. The landowner then sent his son, thinking they would reverence and respect him. But when the evil men saw the son, they killed him, so they could take his inheritance.

Jesus asked what would the landowner do to the evil men?

The chief priests and Pharisees replied...

He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same if become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Matthew 21:41-42

This scripture was prophesied in Psalm 118:22

Jesus said to them...

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Matthew 21:43-44

When the chief priests and Pharisees heard the parables, they believed Jesus was speaking about them. They wanted to seize him then, but were afraid of the many people which felt he was a prophet.

Jesus experienced great love and admiration by people, but was hated as well.

So how is your life going beloved?

Are you continually on an emotional rollercoaster...

 One minute people love and adore you and then next, they are lashing out in anger.

 Jesus understands what you're going through, because he spent much of his time loved or judged unfairly by others.

 People, including his family and closest friends, didn't always understand him, but he continually went to his Father in prayer, and prayed for their forgiveness.

He stood up for what was right, and wasn't afraid to confront those who were being used as pawns by satan, to try to distract his mission in life.

 If you're having a bad day, week, or year... take heart, and don't give up.

 God loves you and is waiting with open arms to give you the comfort and strength you need to get through this day.

 The highs and lows are something we all face... but in the end, you will come out victorious...

 The seasons are changing... and your life will be in full bloom soon!

 

 Have a beautiful and blessed day.

 Valerie Rousseau