Island serving both God and mammon

Why did they do that? Why?

They did so because they were in a crisis.

The people of that day felt as if they had no one to be their leader and that the present Roman government did nothing but take care of their own personal needs.

There are so many things to consider as we look at this text.

The people felt used by the Roman Government — they were taxed to the hilt. Rome continued to bask in financial glory while the poor and needy got poorer and needier.

The people were looking for a Messiah. They were not looking for a Saviour and Lord. No, they wanted someone to rescue them out of their present pain.

They expected Jesus to come as a war hero and fight on their behalf.

They expected Jesus to “beat up” Rome and set them free from their hardships.

In essence, the Jews were doing unto others as was done unto them. They felt used and they would use Jesus for their own selfish benefits.

How wrong was that? When the Jews experienced peace and relative wealth, they had no need to come against Rome or look beyond the state church for hope.

They were happy in their wrong focus.

However, the state church and the state government failed. Hence, they looked at the man, Jesus, who had managed to upset both the state and the church by His deeds, and they chose that man, Jesus, to be the one to rescue them from both the church and the state.

When Jesus entered into Jerusalem, they saw their new “saviour” riding on a colt, which was perfect, because the colt represented war and royalty.

That’s just what they wanted. They wanted Jesus to get “down and dirty” and fight like a trained army specialist.

They missed something. Jesus was riding the colt, but brought along a donkey with Him.

The donkey represented humility and peace. Jesus had come to stir up war with the ultimate end of bringing about peace.

The Jews would have none of that. That was not their plan.

They wanted war! Hence, the Jesus they celebrated on one day was the same Jesus they demanded to be crucified a couple of days later.

The crowd switched up on Jesus because Jesus was a man of peace. They wanted to use Jesus for their convenience.

Bermuda, be careful that during this time of evil in the land you are not crying out “Hosanna, Lord Save us”, like the Jews did on that day.

For once Jesus did not “hook them up”, they wanted to kill Him.

Be careful Bermuda. You want the church to help, but you cannot stand the way the church wants to help you.

Bermuda, you cannot serve both God and mammon (fleshly desires). You must choose to sincerely serve God if you want to be saved indeed.

The ultimate Day of Judgment is not May 21.

However, each and every day is a day of initial judgment. You choose what you want Bermuda to look like by how you train up your children.

Do not blame the church because you trusted more in the Roman government.

Now look at where we are.

It’s your choice. Change or remain the same. What do you want to do? Respice finem.