By Pastor Greg
A motorist
was about two hours from San Diego when he was flagged down by a man whose
truck had broken down. The truck driver walked up to the car and
asked, "Are you going to San Diego?" "Sure am," answered the man, "Do you need
a lift?" "Not
for me. I'll be spending the next three hours fixing my truck. My problem is
I've got two chimpanzees in the back that must be taken to the San Diego Zoo.
They're a bit stressed already so I don't want to keep them on the road all
day. Could you possibly take them to the zoo for me? I'll give you $100 for
your trouble." "I'd be happy to," said the motorist. So, the
two chimpanzees were ushered into the back seat of the man's car and carefully
strapped into their seat belts, and off they went.
Five hours
later, the truck driver finally reached San Diego when suddenly noticed the
motorist walking down the street, holding hands with the two chimps. Quickly he pulled off the road and ran over to the man.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, "I gave you $100 to take
these chimpanzees to the zoo!" "Yes, I know you did," said the man. "But
we had money left over so now we're going to Sea World."
Poor guy. He didn’t have a clue. Kind of reminds me of the people who shouted
for joy when Jesus rode into Jerusalem.
Today is Palm Sunday. It’s called this because it was on this day
Jesus rode into Jerusalem, headed for the cross. In the Gospel of Mark, we read, 8 And many spread
their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees
and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and
those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the
name of the Lord!’ 10Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That
comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”[1]
(Mark 11:8-10). However, no one in the
crowd that day knew Jesus would be crucified.
They didn’t have a clue. They had
no idea that in 5 short days, Jesus would be hanging from a cross. If they had known this, they would not have
shouted “Hosanna” or waived palm branches in celebration. But Jesus knew what awaited Him at the end of
the week, and so did Satan.
If you are familiar with the Palm
Sunday story, it seems the path to the cross was cleared of any obstacle. Jesus heads to the cross unhindered. And one can almost picture Satan and his
minions celebrating in the spiritual world; gladly ushering Jesus to His death.
Because the path to the cross was
cleared for Jesus, it’s obvious Satan had no idea how the Lord’s death would
signify his defeat. Had Satan known what
he would lose because of Jesus’ death, he would have blocked the Lord every
step along the way. Satan felt he was
winning a victory, but he didn’t have a clue. He was merely biting at Jesus’
feet; soon, the Lord would crush his head (compare Genesis 3:15). That Palm Sunday, things were happening in the unseen world, but the apostles didn't have a clue.
If you’re like most Christians,
you don’t realize what is happening in the unseen world. We don’t have a clue. You and I cannot see what’s happening right
now between the angels of God and the demons of Satan. And what we may not realize is that these
spiritual battles affect those of us in this world.
For example, let me tell you a
story about Daniel. He’s that guy from
the Old Testament who was thrown in the Lion’s Den. Well, one day, Daniel has this vision about
events certain to happen in the future – times of war and great hardship. And this glimpse into the spiritual world was
enough to drive Daniel to his knees.
In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also
known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision
concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great
hardship.
2 When this vision came to
me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. 3 All
that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used
no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.
4 On April 23, as I was
standing on the bank of the great Tigris River, 5 I looked up
and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his
waist. 6 His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed
like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like
polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.
7 Only I, Daniel, saw this
vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran
away to hide. 8 So I was left there all alone to see this
amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very
weak. 9 Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound
of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.
10 Just then a hand touched
me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 11 And
the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully
to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he
said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.
12 Then he said, “Don’t be
afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to
humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have
come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the
spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the
archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the
kingdom of Persia. 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen
to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”
15 While he was speaking to
me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word. 16 Then
the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began
to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “I am filled with anguish
because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak. 17 How
can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone,
and I can hardly breathe.”
18 Then the one who looked
like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. 19 “Don’t
be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged!
Be strong!” [2]
(Daniel 10:1-19).
A major spiritual battle was
taking place. God had sent an angel to
explain this vision, but the demon who controlled the king of Persia was trying
to keep Daniel from understanding future events.
Daniel didn’t know this. He had no
idea what was happening in the spiritual world.
For three weeks Daniel’s life was a wreck, and he had no idea why. He had no idea why God had not answered.
Only later did the apostles understand the spiritual victory Jesus accomplished on the cross. Later, John understood this (1 John 4:4). So did Paul (Ephesians 6:12). But at the crucifixion, they wept. At that moment, they had no idea what was happening in the spiritual world.
Have you ever found yourself
there? Have you ever felt like the
forces of darkness are working overtime in your life? Do feel troubled about things, yet don’t
quite understand why? Maybe there are
things happening in the spiritual world right now; things that are affecting
your life today. Maybe Satan is working
against you, trying to keep your heart troubled and your mind confused.
In those troubled days, may I
remind you what this angel told Daniel?
This messenger of God reminds Daniel that he was very precious to God
(Daniel 10:11, 18). And those words for
Daniel are meant for you and me as well.
You and I are precious to God.
Things may not be going right in our life, but we are precious to God. Our life might feel like a train wreck, but
we are precious to God. We know this
because at just the proper time Jesus walked into Jerusalem to win the
spiritual battle for you and for me.
I tell you all of this so you
might be aware of the spiritual battle which took place on Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is a day of triumph because it
marks the beginning of Satan’s defeat.
On Palm Sunday, Jesus begins a spiritual battle for the eternal soul of
every man, woman, and child. As Satan
tried to lay claim to our soul, Jesus goes to the cross. He fought the battle which ransomed our
souls.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers.
(2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Da 10:1–19).
Carol Stream, IL.
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