Can you imagine what it must have been like in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday when Jesus made His triumphant entry into the city? Imagine the people shouting His name, rejoicing and waving palm branches at Him. They were shouting “Hosanna!” which means, “Save now, Lord!” But they didn’t realize that in order for Jesus to save them, He had to go to the cross. Only days later, the very same crowds were screaming, “Crucify Him!”

That must have been an emotional rollercoaster ride for Jesus and the disciples. Palm Sunday was the rejoicing, but the Cross was the obedience and the road to deliverance.

Let’s bring this down to where you and I are today. Let’s realize that some changes may have to take place before the Good News can operate in our lives.

• We have to obey God’s Word.

• We may have to adjust our human nature to be sure it’s in line with God’s desires.

So, here are some areas we may have to  deal with to posture ourselves in obedience to God’s will.

1. Priorities

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 NKJV, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

2. Attitude Toward Things

In Luke 12:15 NKJV, Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Now don’t misinterpret what Jesus was saying in that scripture. Doesn’t the Bible say in Psalm 84:11, “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly?”

God is not against your having things. He just doesn’t want things to have you.

3. Social Standing

Jesus said in Matthew 20:26 NKJV, “…but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.”

Now this says “servant”. That doesn’t mean that you have to be subservient or have no voice. The Oxford dictionary describes a biblical servant as a devoted and helpful follower or supporter. It’s someone who supports God’s mission.

4. Your Thought Life

This is where things get personal because God wants to help us deal with our thought life.

In Philippians 4:8 NKJV, the apostle Paul said, “…whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

5. A Critical Spirit

If we don’t want to miss the true message of the Cross, we must keep ourselves free from a critical spirit.

In Matthew 7:1-3 NKJV, Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ”

6. Tithes and Offerings      

The true message of the Cross involves sowing and reaping, seedtime and harvest. God Almighty redeemed fallen man after Adam and Eve rebelled against Him in the garden of Eden.

What did He do? He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, as the ultimate seed.

He gave us the pattern for getting our own needs met:  sow your seeds to God. Genesis 8:22 NKJV says, “While the earth remains, [there will be] seedtime and harvest.” When you sow your seeds or do something to benefit God’s kingdom, you get into the eternal principle of seedtime and harvest. And when you give your tithes and offerings according to Malachi 3:10-11, you can expect God to rebuke the devourer from your life and pour out for you such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it!

Beyond the Cross is the Resurrection

Thank God, the true message of the Cross doesn’t end in the grave! On the third day––on Resurrection morning––Jesus Christ rose from the dead! And that’s a good word for you and me today! It means that we can expect God’s miracle power to bring us to a place Jesus promised in John 10:10 which states…“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

I pray for God’s abundant life to be a part of every thing you do for His Kingdom.