What Will You Lay Down For Jesus?

"A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road."  Matt. 21:8

Whether it be the President of the United States or an awards show in Hollywood, one of the typical greetings they will see is a red carpet rolled out before them.  Believe it or not, this tradition has roots back to 458 B.C. when the idea of walking down a crimson path was alluded to in a play.

When you and I use the expression of  "rolling out the red carpet" for someone, we're generally seeking to offer the highest level of hospitality to whoever is going to be gracing our presence.  It has nothing to do with literal carpet, but more to do with pulling out all the stops to make them feel welcomed.

As Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem on the Sunday prior to His death, you could have easily mistaken his entrance and his grand reception by the people to that of a king's entrance into the city.  The shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David" and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," filled the air.

The royal carpet that Jesus rode on was made of palm branches and cloaks.  Bystanders literally removed their outer garments and laid them down on the ground as an act of recognizing royalty that was entering the city. 

This king was different, though.  He didn't travel by a fine or elaborate chariot, but rather by a humble donkey.  By Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, Old Testament prophecy was being fulfilled before the crowd's very eyes.  Zechariah 9:9 says:

"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

So, how will you welcome Jesus into your life this Easter season?  What will you lay down this Easter season so that Jesus can receive your full honor and praise? 

• Do you need to lay down something in your schedule so that you can make a priority of worshipping in His house on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday? 
• Do you need to lay down your pride in order to recognize that without Christ's redemptive death on the cross, you and I would be nothing on our own?
• Do you need to lay down something in your everyday life that stands in the way of your daily walk with the Lord, whether it be a lifestyle choice or a sin that has entrapped you?

Let's make a concerted effort to rid our hearts of whatever we need to so that we can truly be open to the Lord's presence as we enter into the holiest of all weeks in the Christian faith.  I pray that this Easter, you truly come to realize the brutal sacrifice that was required in order for you and I to be redeemed from the sin that ensnares us.  I pray that you're able to feel the immense love that our Heavenly Father has for you by having your heart completely tuned in to the events that took place two thousand years ago.