Journey to the Cross

Pause

What does it truly mean to praise God? What is happening in that act?

Does God want our praise because God is lacking in affirmation or needs a confidence boost?

Could it be that it was our spiritual needs that God had in mind when commanding us to practice praise and to “give thanks in all circumstances”?

Listen

They went and found a colt tied to a gate outside on the street, and they untied it. Some people standing around said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them just what Jesus said, and they left them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes upon it, and he sat on it.

Mark 11:4-7

Think

Years ago, the shoe maker Nike rolled out the slogan, “Just Do It.” It was brilliant. The slogan was about taking action, simply starting and “going for it.”

It is easy to sit for hours, days, or even years pondering what we should do and how we should do it. We ask, “What does God want me to do?” I think Nike had the right idea when they said, “just do it.” Go. Begin!

While prayer and discernment are certainly important, discipleship is less about analysis and more about action. Notice that Jesus didn’t tell the disciples, “Come and understand me.” He didn’t say, “Come and ponder the nature and will of God.” What he said was, “Come and follow me.” Jesus also said, “Go into all the nations” and “What you did for the least of these you did for me.”

Like the obedient disciples from our text, we can see and learn more about Jesus through one act of simple obedience than a lifetime of passive consideration.

For believers, knowing comes through doing. What are you doing?

Wade Griffith

Pray

Jesus, never let me lose sight of the true to nature of discipleship, following you. Amen.

Go

Maybe true praise is less in the singing and more in the doing.

Does God want another song to rise from your lips, or would God prefer an act of costly obedience to come from your hands, feet, or mouth?

Forget the palm branches today and instead commit to giving God the palms of your hands!