When the Cheers turn to Jeers

In the book of Matthew the 21st chapter of the Holy Bible, the writer observes that when Christ returned to Jerusalem around the time of the Passover Feast he rode atop the colt of a donkey and was lauded by the crowd - "And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." The people of Jerusalem spread their clothes out before him and the mule upon which he rode, they pulled palm branches off the trees and laid them in the Lord’s pathway, this is where Palm Sunday is derived. Jesus was greeted by the raucous crowd as they exclaim “Hosanna” which means; God be praised. Under most circumstances a person greeted with this kind of reception would be overwhelmed by the reception, a sense of pride and accomplishment might set in, but not Jesus, he knew what his disciples didn’t, that in just a couple of days these same people would change their cheers to jeers. The very same crowd that was celebrating Jesus and lifting him up to God would soon call for his execution shouting for his crucifixion and lifting him up on a tree. In the book of Mark the 15th chapter the writer describes the scene at Jesus' trial - "And Pilate answered and said again unto them, what will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, 'Crucify him'."

It is remarkable how quickly cheers can turn into insults, how something or someone who was a source of joy and inspiration can so quickly become the source of resentment and rage. Therefore we learn from the example of the Lord Jesus that the cheers of praise from the crowd can quickly turn into jeers for our demise and downfall. It is imperative that we don’t seek to please mankind, but God instead. Humanity is fickle and the celebration of mankind can quickly turn into scorning and rebuke. On the other hand if we live our lives for the Lord we will have a much different experience. The bible says of God that He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. The Word of the Lord doesn't change, His principals and precepts are the same and as long as we are living according to the word of God we will always be celebrated by our Lord.

Jesus chose to serve God and endure the jeers of the crowd because of the greater good.  We are more than conquerors today because we can endure the tumultuous and often harsh reception from our fellow man because we're living for God and not for man. In a conversation Jesus had with a religious leader named Nicodemus, he reference how Moses lifted up his staff in the wilderness in order that he might lead the nation of Israel out of the wilderness and so in like fashion the son of man must also be lifted up on a tree to lead all of humanity out of the darkness of sin. John 3:14-15 says “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Jesus was foretelling of his own crucifixion. He knew for what purpose he came into this world and when the cheers ceased and the jeers began Jesus remained undeterred in his purpose because he was living for his heavenly father and was focused on his purpose.

Friends please know that God has given you the gift of life for a purpose and that purpose is not to covet the cheers of your fellow man. Do not live this life seeking the approval of mankind, because if you receive it will eventually come to an end. When the cheers turn to jeers, remember only what we do for Christ will matter in eternity.