Through His Eyes

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We often struggle in our lives, get negative, lose hope, or place our hope and joy in the wrong places because we look at things only through our limited perspective.

Perspective is a funny thing. What I experience one way, you can experience a completely different way. How many conflicts begin at a point of misunderstanding? How much meaning do we miss because we are locked in to our own view of events, of conversations, or even of scripture.

I’ve been thinking a great deal about God’s perspective lately and how much I need to be searching for it.

I was reminded of one of the miracle stories in my life, one I have shared before, and I tried to imagine that story from God’s perspective.

There is Shaun, praying for a specific financial desire. Not a survival need, but a heart felt desire to be able to give an experience to a loved one. Little does he know, that desire comes from me.

Right here and now in the moment of the prayer, I will give him the tool he needs to get precisely what is needed.

Boy…he is a little slow recognizing the value of the tool. I’ll have someone make some suggestions.

Oh…he wasted it…I can fix this. Let’s raise his awareness level as to what the tool could have done…and now let’s give him another chance at it.

And done.

For me it was uncertainty and excitement, for God it was plan and grace.

Some of you may have connected the dots, if you listen really well every week…and some of you have heard me tell the story from my side more than once since I like telling it. But for those who haven’t

When I worked with Youth For Christ, I was responsible to run the social media accounts for the our National Staff gathering in San Antonio. I really wanted to be able to take Becca along with me, but while my trip was covered by the organization, we would need about $1500 to pay for her. Given our circumstances, it was out of reach.

I sat in an old parking lot along the river in Camas where I liked to pray one morning and prayed for a way.

I looked out my car window and saw something really funny…so I took a video. This video.

Show video

First I just showed my family. Didn’t think much of it. Monica pushed me to share it.

I shared it on Facebook and racked up…lots of views. I was just pleased to have that kind of attention, it was fun.

Someone finally pressed me to share it on YouTube.

Then I thought, I’ll send it in to America’s Funniest Videos! That would be cool!

Then a company reached out to license it…and found out that once you send something to AFV…it’s theirs. As soon as I tried to monetize it, I got the warning that I could not as it was already copyrighted by someone else.

So I went back…and took a new video…Got a $1500 advance on the licensing. And finally saw what God was doing.

If God facepalms, he must have done when I sent the video to AFV. “I gave you the tool…and you gave it away...”

You see, our limited perspective not only causes us to misplace our hope, joy, anxiety, and despair, but it also causes us to miss the best God has for us.

Ugh

This leads us to become distracted and miss the very best God has for us. It is a spiral

Earlier this week, I was working on getting our offices set up, and I went to the shop to look through stuff that was stored to see if I could find anything useful.

I opened the door and a small bird swooped out of the rafters. First to another rafter, and then right into the window.

I thought he was a goner at first. But as I came and went, he was sitting up, and then back in the rafters.

So I left the door open, then I opened the back door, then I opened the garage door…I kept opening doors because this bird could not see the freedom being offered.

As I looked at our text for this morning, on Palm Sunday we remember what your Bible headings call, “The Triumphal Entry”, I wondered about that name for the day. I wondered if that was how Jesus saw it.

Aha

As Jesus makes his “Triumphal Entry”, the disciples are pumped, the pharisees frustrated…but Jesus has a whole different view.

You heard Luke 19:28-35 just read. Certainly had the appearance of a Triumphal entry. Jesus was fulfilling the scriptural image of the expected Messianic king who would restore Israel.

He could have done nothing more blatant to declare himself the king…but did Jesus see this as a triumphal entry?

I notice that this title is not one the actual scripture uses, but a title given by us. I couldn’t find any origination point for when humanity attached that title, I’m sure it’s out there, but its not in scripture itself.

We can get a hint of how Jesus probably thought about this crowd based on his reaction to a crowd earlier in his ministry:

John 2:23-25 CSB

“While he was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival, many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.”

They believed, they declared allegiance, but Jesus did not entrust himself to them…because he knows us too well.

And as we look at the passages around this entry from Luke’s gospel, I think we can safely draw a connection that Jesus was not experiencing this entry as a triumph…but as a part of a bigger aim.

And by considering Jesus’ perspective on this entry, we can begin to grow in our own perspective in the highs and lows in our own walk.

As we look at how we can find focus through his eyes, let’s give this time to the Lord.

PRAY

Whee

Keeping Praise in Perspective, Weeping for the Lost, Standing in Authority, Fixed in His Purpose

Finding Focus Through His Eyes

Keeping Praise (or lack) in Perspective

The first moment comes as he begins his entry into Jerusalem.

The crowds did not miss the significance of the act. His disciples began to praise God and call out loudly and the whole crowd got wrapped up in the moment.

We have a king who will drive out Rome!

God has seen us and will deliver us!

But the religious leaders, those who did not think Jesus was the one had a different response.

Luke 19:37-40 CSB

“Now he came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven! Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.””

Jesus could have said a lot of things here.

I am your king, so knock it off

But he didn’t. He acknowledges the praise, he says that in this moment, praise is inevitable. IF they quit, the rocks would raise a chorus.

But I notice this - He isn’t inflated by the praise or deflated by the lack of it.

Human beings have egos like balloons. A little praise and we swell up to the point of popping…a little criticism and we shrivel…Jesus isn’t moved.

Going back to the passage in John gives us a reason for this solidity in Christ. He knew people. He knew the praise was temporary and the attacks untrue.

HE KNEW WHO HE WAS, and as we will discuss in a bit, he knew why he was there that day.

How are you impacted by praise?

Do you get puffed up? Do you crave it? Do you begin to seek it if you don’t get enough?

Remember this: The people who praise, can easily turn, and the really good news: the praise of others doesn’t actually change your value. God has already set that.

You were made in his image, and despite your rebellion and sin, God thought you were worth dying for so he could be with you. Not based on what you do, but that’s your internal value.

Same is true for critics.

When someone comes to you with a criticism, how do you react? Does it matter if it is fair or not? Do you automatically count anyone who points our your faults as an enemy? Maybe you even take pride in your position as the subject of the attack.

Or maybe you go the other way and do everything you can to please people to avoid criticism. You will do whatever is asked of you even if it leads you in ten directions and exhaustion.

Both avenues fail to reflect Jesus.

He was not desperate for praise, but he received it gracefully.

Now Jesus is unique in that all criticism was unfounded…where with us…that is not the case. So he perfectly models avoiding the people pleasing side.

But he also doesn’t react to it. He does give us a model. And when we add in that even the most unfair critique likely has at least one point of truth in it, we would be wise to count our critics as friends in that way. They are helping us to see areas ripe for growth.

That doesn’t mean we give them power, but we do begin with humility.

The next verse shows us a whole different perspective on the triumphal part of this entry.

Weeping for the Wandering

Luke 19:41-44 CSB

“As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, saying, “If you knew this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days will come on you when your enemies will build a barricade around you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you and your children among you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in your midst, because you did not recognize the time when God visited you.””

I can’t say I’ve heard a story from history or fiction where the conqueror, making his triumphal entry stops and weeps for the sake of the city.

Historical perspective. Starting from the end

Because you did not recognize when God visited. Something would have been different if they would have really understood what was happening this day. If they really knew who he was and what he was accomplishing…their story could have changed.

But because they don’t…they will be besieged and in the end not one stone will be left on the other.

In 70 AD…not 40 years later, there is a rebellion, The Jewish people find another leader who will try to overthrow Rome and Rome reacts. Rome was extremely tolerant of different cultures in their empire. Part of why it worked and they had peace. They conquered you, but let you live how you liked for the most part. But if you rose up, if you fought back…the tolerance was gone.

If they would have recognized Jesus…If they would have turned to God and seen a kingdom that wasn’t land and borders but one of Spirit and truth...

Jesus weeps for what will become of those who don’t understand who he is and why he came. Those who refuse the hope of life eternal, those who refuse the life of the spirit…This city that will crumble knew God’s word and thought they were living it out...

This entry looks even less triumphant. It won’t save this city. It won’t save many of these people. Ultimately only you can choose to respond to the call of Christ. Only you can choose repentance and humility before your creator.

The same is true for your neighbor, for your family member far from God. Jesus knows this.

How do we respond?

We move on with our lives and ignore them

We look down

We worry...

When was the last time the plight of the lost drove you to tears, let alone action?

If we are going to imitate Jesus, the things that break his heart need to break ours.

Then evangelism isn’t a duty, its a reaction, it’s an outflow of the heart of God from us to another. Not pushy…because we aren’t trying to win. Inviting, welcoming, loving, heart-broken for every one who stands outside the gate wondering where life’s true meaning comes from.

Paul, in Philippians describes the enemies of the cross pretty harshly…unless you pay attention to the beginning: As Ive told you before and tell you again through tears, many are the enemies of the cross.

Paul’s heart was broken for the ones who would never choose hope. Where’s yours?

pause

Jesus was at the hight of popularity…if he had a campaign manager, they would have hated what came next. Jesus is:

Acting in Authority

Luke 19:45-48 CSB

“He went into the temple and began to throw out those who were selling, and he said, “It is written, my house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!” Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to kill him, but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.”

There were people taking advantage of those coming to worship. Using them for gain.

I recently had a question from a newcomer to the church about what we require in giving.

I answered…not a thing.

We teach that God has given us everything we have. That he calls us to give back to him. I believe, and our church teaches that as a matter of discipleship each person should give to the church in proportion to their income, and then give generously beyond that to the needs they come across. Other missions, people in need, ect. In addition, we are to be generous with our time, our talents, and our testimony.

But that is about two things

1. It changes your heart to give faithfully, even and especially when it is hard. It teaches obedience. I’ve been writing about spiritual disciplines in the Wednesday message, and I will be writing in the next few weeks on giving as a discipline.

2. It enables the church to do the work God is calling us to. Not to create a safe space for Christians, but a launch point for ministry. For developing and equipping followers of Jesus to go follow him.

But we don’t and never will require it to belong here. You don’t pay a fee to enter the presence of God. You don’t send in money to receive a blessing.

We practice generosity to be like Jesus, not to gain access to him. Grace is free to the one being given it.

Jesus walks in the temple courts and sees religious extortion and while he didn’t get angry at criticism or doubts…this gets his fire burning.

Not exactly triumph. The end of this day has the leaders hoping to kill him, the people captivated, but wavering and his temper at the edge.

Follower of Jesus, what gets you angry? Is it your own inconvenience? Is it the wrongs in the world?

I notice, Jesus was not angry with cheating tax collectors, doubters, or prostitutes. His anger is reserved specifically it seems for those who create barriers to people coming to the presence of God.

Here, in the teachings of the pharisees, or even in his disciple Peter who suggested that Jesus should reconsider his plan that would involve his own death.

Ask yourself: What barriers do I put up to the kingdom? Do I just refuse to talk about Jesus? Do I fail to be kind to those stepping in the door? Do I live my life so contrary to the gospel that I show people that in the end, there is nothing unique about Jesus anyway?

I encourage you to examine yourself here. Pray for revelation to show you your own faults, Its easy to see and pick on someone else’s. But the real work is done when we ask God to show us our own mess.

The week goes on and Jesus keeps going. This very next story is a good illustration of what he kept on with:

Planted in His Purpose

Luke 20:1-8 CSB

“One day as he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came and said to him, “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?” He answered them, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know its origin. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.””

For the rest of the week, the religious leaders try to get Jesus derailed on his purpose. They want to get him into a debate where they can discredit him.

In every case, whether it’s the resurrection, taxes, or authority like this, Jesus refuses to play ball.

He cuts to the heart of the question, he points back their purposes right to their face. Resulting in phrases like: They became silent, they no longer dared to ask him anything, and “they looked for a way to get their hands on him that very hour.”

Jesus knows his mission and it involves a cross in less than a week. He has this week left to speak, to teach and to serve. His mission is obedience to his father, to save humanity, and create a kingdom. Loving God, people, and making disciples.

What’s your mission? Do you have one? How intentional are you in following through? How does that mission impact they way you love your spouse? How you lead your kids? The way you do your job? How you invest your time?

Monica bought me tickets to see Mercy Me for Christmas. The concert was Thursday. She could have had no idea then, how much I needed that time now. I only cried…alot. But they have one song that pinned me down on this matter right here.

It goes like this:

Are you disappointed? Are you desperate for help? You know what it's like to be tired And only a shell of yourself Well, you start to believe You don't have what it takes 'Cause it's all you can do Just to move, much less finish the race

But don't forget what lies ahead

Almost home Brother, it won't be long Soon all your burdens will be gone With all your strength Sister, run wild, run free Hold up your head, keep pressing on We are almost home

At 44, half my life is behind me at minimum. I remember on my 40th some kids (Rittons…wahlstoms…) filled my office with black balloons and a banner that said, look who’s over the hill.

We get this idea from culture that once we hit the halfway point we are moving down. But as I heard that song, I realized that if anything the trajectory is up. I have this time left to step into purpose. Like a runner straining for the end of the race we are not called to retire into slumber, but to press in, press on and press upward into the great things God has laid before us!

I think of my friend Betty Eves. She sold us our first home in Cottage Grove. In her early 80s she still regularly went on mission trips and told everyone she could about Jesus. She bent over backwards to help us buy the house when she moved to Vancouver so she could bless us as we served teens.

In preparation for this message I thought I would look up her obituary, I hadn’t heard anything from her in so long, I thought she must be done. I didn’t find one. Instead I found a news story from KGW about 92 year old Betty Eves who despite falling and breaking a hip 3 months ago was back at work serving at Friends of the Carpenter 5 hours every single weekday, sanding wood to build chairs that will be sold to raise money to support the work with the vulnerable of Clark County.

She knows her purpsose.

Yeah

What is your perspective? Is your purpose in life aligned with God’s purpose for your life? (not vocation, PURPOSE) What cheers or jeers are derailing you? What distractions are occupying you?

Worship Team up

So I’m not sure about calling this the triumphal entry anymore. It was a declaration that he is the messiah. It was a spark to set off the chain that will lead to his execution. But from his perspective…This isn’t the moment of triumph.

I have some other candidates to apply for the position of Triumphal entry. (build louder)

I would suggest that as he hung on the cross and cried out, “IT IS FINISHED” and then died. that was a triumphal entry.

I would suggest that as he marched to the gates of death and ripped them off their hinges, that was a triumphal entry.

That when death could not keep him and he rose from the dead and walked out of that tomb, that was a triumphal entry.

THat when he ascended to sit at the right hand of the father in heaven, that was a triumphal entry.

But wait…(get soft)

The moment you surrendered your life and he came in to make you new. That was a triumphal entry.

The time you chose to follow him instead of your desires or this world, that was a triumphal entry.

The day you overcame fear and shared the reason for your hope with another and they surrendered to the triumphal entry, that was a triumphal entry.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians that God is always leading us in Christ’s triumphal procession!

And that great day when the sky is rolled back and the trumpet sounds and we are taken up to his presence and the last battle has been won as we step into the wedding feast of the lamb and enjoy the presence of our father for all eternity that…that will be a triumphal entry.

So consider how you see this day. Look at Jesus and choose to follow him. I hope you join us at the Seder meal (sign up) and our Good Friday service to complete the story of this week.

But mostly…today if you have not chosen to surrender to king. Today is the day. As we sing this last song, will you come forward? We will have a prayer team up here to pray the prayer of surrender with you.

There is still room for you to join in the baptism service next week. We will celebrate Resurrection Sunday the best way I know how. By celebrating new life. If you have never taken that step of obedience, please come talk to Caleb, myself or one of our elders to learn more about it.

For anyone else, will you recommit yourselves this day to a life of purpose as you follow Jesus? We are almost home, however much is left. Let’s press toward the finish like Betty. Further on, further up and further in every day.

Pray