Hi Folks:

Today is Palm Sunday. This is the Sunday we use to remember Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. As Jesus rode into the city on the back of a donkey, the crowds met him, yelling the traditional praise words, "Hosanna, Hosanna." Workers in the fields cut palm branches. Others laid their cloaks over the road. All four gospels cover this event.

I've always been amazed that the crowds who yelled "Hosanna" could turn on Jesus to yell "Crucify him" only five days later. Why were they so fickle? How could they turn so easily?

As I look at it, it seems to me that they did not want to follow Jesus for who he was, but for who they wanted him to be.

Some people in the crowd wanted "Taxi Jesus." They were content to follow Jesus as long as he could take them where they wanted to go. Isn't that what we do with a cab? We take it to get where we want to go, and then we get out. When the people thought Jesus might lead them to a new kingdom here on earth, they hopped in. When they realized Jesus wasn't going to usher in a new kingdom like King David's and Solomon's, they got out. They felt no loyalty to Jesus because they were, in fact, just using him to go where they wanted.

Others in the crowd wanted "General Jesus." "General Jesus" would kick out the Romans who occupied their land. When they saw Jesus riding the donkey, they were somehow blinded to the fact that a donkey is not a war horse. Instead, they saw the conquering hero, returning home after victory in the battlefield. Later in the week, however, when the Romans arrested Jesus, it was easier to yell, "Crucify him," than it was to face the Roman goon squads.

Finally, there were those who wanted "Jelly Jesus." Have you ever tried to nail jelly to the wall? It doesn't matter how many nails you put in it, it won't stick. Eventually it will slip off and fall to the floor. There are people like this. You can't nail them to the wall - that is, they change their opinion to suit the people they're talking to.

The people who wanted to follow "Jelly Jesus" liked him as long as they thought he believed the same things they did. As soon as they that Jesus actually stood for something they didn't and might want to make some changes, they saw him as dangerous and to be gotten rid of. We see this most as Jesus overturned the tables in the temple. He royally ticked off a lot of people because he pointed out their corrupt business practices. No ifs, ands, or buts. It was wrong and needed to be changed. If not even the temple was sacred, what other areas of their lives might Jesus overturn?

These different views of Jesus help us understand the mixed motivations we sometimes develop in our own Christian walk.

What about "Taxi Jesus?" In what ways do I hope Jesus will help me reach my goals? What happens if Jesus' goals for me are different from my expectations? I run up against this one all the time. Every writer has dreams that somehow their writing will gain them some attention and recognition. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have some hopes about this. Is it wrong to hope and dream? No, but as a Christian writer, if I write for the recognition, I've crossed the line. My job is to be faithful. The rest may come, but if it does not, I don't get out of Jesus' cab. I have to decide what kind of "Taxi Jesus" I want. Do I want Jesus to go where I want, or will I let him decide where we will go?

And then there is "General Jesus." The people of Jesus' day thought their biggest problem was the Romans, and so they looked for "General Jesus." Wherever we face problems, it is tempting to develop another "Jesus." Maybe its not "General Jesus," but perhaps its "Doctor Jesus," because we think our biggest problem is our health. If we think our biggest problem is we don't have enough money, then we may look for "better job Jesus," or "banker Jesus."

I got sidetracked one time looking for "better life Jesus." Somehow I got the impression when I became an Christian that all my problems would go away and my life would get better. When my problems went on longer than I thought they should, I faced a crisis of faith. When Jan was so sick with depression and it went on for so long, I faced another crisis of faith. If I had looked to Jesus for my strength and hope instead of the circumstances of my life, I would have had more hope.

Finally, there is "Jelly Jesus." We love stories about Jesus talking with the children, healing people, teaching with infinite patience. There are tougher parts of the gospels that are harder to swallow. What do we do with a Jesus who gets all fired up and overthrows tables? I remember one student in seminary who outright rejected this picture of Jesus because it didn't fit with his idea of Jesus as gentle, meek and mild.

I don't like when Jesus overturns "sacred tables" in the temple of my heart. It doesn't feel good or comfortable. It goes beyond what I "like" about Jesus. But the truth is, Jesus wants to transform my heart. The easy way is to open it all up and offer it to him. The hard way is for him to overturn the tables.

So, which Jesus are we looking for? Taxi Jesus, to take us where we want to go? General Jesus, to overthrow the enemies and problems we encounter? "Jelly Jesus" who doesn't challenge us and doesn't expect anything from us? It is better to ride with Jesus and let him take us where he wants to go. It is better to serve Jesus wholeheartedly and let him decide the battles and direction. And it is better to surrender our hearts so that he can show us the sweetness of life.

Hope this helps. Be OnFire.

Troy

April 1, 2007.