Grand entrances set the tone in architecture and life. In Luke 19, Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem fulfills prophecy, revealing Him as the righteous, humble King who brings salvation. Despite mixed reactions, He offers grace and truth, inviting us through faith to embrace His transformative redemption.
Sometimes, we grow discouraged in our relationship with Jesus when we see no worldly gain. This sentiment echoes Malachi 3, where God’s people hardened their hearts, envying the prosperity of the wicked while they struggled. However, God’s promise is far greater—fulfilled through Jesus Christ, the sun of righteousness, who brings healing, remembrance, treasure, and eternal life beyond worldly measure.
God’s people faced the accusation of robbing Him due to their cold hearts, lacking joy, peace, and purpose. In love, He called them to return through joyful giving, promising blessings. Similarly, as followers of Christ, we lose joy and peace when giving feels burdensome. Today, God invites us to rediscover worship and discipleship by investing in Him with joy, peace, and hope for our Gospel Mission.
God disciplines His disobedient children to protect us and bring us home when we wander.
God’s love is the foundation of honest self-awareness and self-assessment. Lent is a time for preparing for Jesus’s death and resurrection through self-assessment. Through Malachi, the Lord called for repentance and reminded His people of His love. Begin a season of self-assessment, repentance, and renewal by rejoicing in God’s love.
In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he reminds us that the Christian life is a mission with Jesus. We need comforting, encouraging, and loving relationships, and are called to live in the world, not separate from it. The church is a mission outpost for sinners, not a country club for the elite. When we fail to live on mission, we miss the fullness of life with Christ.
Insecurity hinders the Gospel mission by causing fear, timidity, pride, and self-righteousness, obstructing the message to the lost. Paul reminds us of our security in Christ and that through prayer and wisdom towards outsiders, we are equipped to share God’s hope, joy, and grace through Christ with those who do not know Him as Lord and Savior.
Paul emphasizes the superiority of Jesus Christ in his message to the Colossians by focusing on the social order of family. He explains that Godly family relationships reflect the nature of God and are given equality and dignity under Christ. Paul highlights how sinful desires for superiority and control distort God’s intended order, leading to selfish ambition. The hope of the Gospel is that Jesus used His superiority out of love for our salvation, not for selfish ambition.
In Colossians 3, Paul continues the theme of the supremacy of Jesus Christ and His sufficient work in our lives. In fact Paul takes it to another level by proclaiming that when we put our faith in Jesus, our lives are hidden with Christ. In light of this joyful assurance we are called to seek the things that are above and to live as the true citizens of God’s glorious kingdom.
In Colossians Chapter 2, Paul emphasizes the personal nature of Christ’s supremacy. Jesus is not only supreme over eternity, creation, and the church, but also over our lives. Paul urges us to walk in Jesus as needy beggars, receiving grace and the security of having our lives governed by His supremacy.
