NE7ER 7 // My Word NE7ER Returns Empty
This week’s Bible lessons: Isiah 55:10-11, John 1:1-2, John 11:49-53, Luke 19:10
Palm Sunday
- Jesus’ triumphant entry
- Jesus gathering God’s people
- People misunderstood
- Jesus came riding on a donkey as a symbol of peace
- His mission was to win us back from the dominion of the devil
- Still, they cried “Hosannah!”, a word of praise that also means, “save us now”
- We might be able to relate
- People ask me almost daily if I think we’re in the end times – I don’t know if we are nearing the time of Jesus’ return, but some things are definitely ending
- Maybe you heard about the Wall Street Journal report of a recent survey indicating dramatic shifting in our culture at it pertains to patriotism, religion, having children, community involvement, and money. All these values saw a steep decline, except money.
- Our world feels “off” right now, and we might be inclined to shout, “Hosannah” ourselves, praising God and pleading for deliverance.
- I love Luke’s telling of this event as he recorded Jesus’ words that if He told the crowd to be quiet, even the rocks would shout out for deliverance (Luke 19:40).
Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV) | For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
God’s Word in Our Lives
- Nourishes passively, as in it comes outside of our control
- Nourishes actively, as in eating
- Helps us fulfill God’s purpose (remember covenant: a relational and binding promise to work toward a common goal)
Jesus is God’s Word
- John 1:1-2 (ESV) | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
- Logos, Greek for the physical representation of a word
God Works in Spite of Us
- John 11:49-53 (ESV) | But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.
- Caiaphas sought harm, but God sought hope
Empty to Full
- Luke 19:10 | [Jesus] came to seek and save the lost
- This was said just before the Triumphant Entry
- Jesus went to the cross and then the tomb
- The best news is that tomb is empty so Heaven won’t be!
Closing Questions
- How does God’s salvation fill you?
- When have you seen God work in spite of yourself?
- Where does God’s Word fill your emptiness?
