What’s happening in our society? There are wars, economic troubles, random killings instead of random acts of kindness and it’s difficult to see God’s leading and love in the world. It is Good Friday, in the midst of Holy Week and it’s still hard to comprehend who’s in charge. We just left Palm Sunday with the shouts of, “Hosanna, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” The word, Hosanna, in Hebrew means “save now.” The people were shouting, “Save us we beseech thee.” Their cries were for a king who would help and protect them…A cry for God to break in amongst the darkness and chaos and save the people now. The people wanted someone who would take charge!

But we get a different picture with Jesus. We see a man entering Jerusalem on a colt, a man who symbolized humbleness. Could this possibly be the king they had been waiting for? During this time in Palestine if a king was going to war, he would ride in on a horse, showing power and prestige. But, if the king was coming in peace, he rode a donkey or a colt. Jesus came meek and lowly, in peace, for peace. This was radically different from what the people expected.

God was taking charge in a new way. The people greeted Jesus as the son of David, but they didn’t understand. They knew of the miracles Jesus had performed, they were drawn to his character and quiet strength, yet they expected a greater man, a true king, and a savior! The people were looking for someone who would destroy the wicked, shatter the corruption and conquer all evil. They thought of kingship as conquest. They wanted someone who would take control and be in charge! Isn’t that what we all want? But like the people back then, we too are blind to what God has in mind. Jesus was telling the people by his mere presence that they were wrong; they were hoping for the wrong kind of king. This king comes in humility and peace, knowing that God is in charge! Nobody likes to be told that they’re wrong. That was probably the downfall of Jesus, which was the worst thing that Jesus could’ve done — or was it?

We who believe have the benefit of knowing the whole story. We know Easter is coming. We know from the very start who’s in charge! Right from the onset, Jesus’ mission was to come as a servant, to show his strength in peace and humility.

How could this be? Who’s in charge here? Obviously the Jewish leaders had no control. They were completely threatened by Jesus’ presence. Pilate wasn’t in charge; he let an unruly mob decide the fate of a guiltless man. If God was in charge, how could a criminal go free, and a righteous man be sentenced to death? The people chose wrong over right. They didn’t choose the good. Don’t we find some of that in all of us?

It’s much easier to follow our own will, instead of God’s will for our lives. We desire to do as we please, and reject any confining barriers of discipline. No matter how hard we try, we can’t seem to do the good that we wish to do. From the mob, we might see something of ourselves. Oppression and control seem to win out over peace. Hatred and violence take over instead of love. In our society our whole idea of power and control is in conquest. Our need to win at all costs! We don’t see or understand that the only true victory is in love. We don’t need power and control; the victory has been won for us. We claim that same victory as we give ourselves to God and to others. It’s in Christ’s body and blood given for you! We know who’s in charge!

To be whipped, mocked, spit on and face the torture and humiliation of the cross, how could this man be in charge? Jesus had many opportunities to save himself. He could have denied that he was the king of the Jews. Yet he kept silent. Nothing Jesus could have said would have changed their hearts, hearts that were hardened against him. It was God’s actions that spoke louder than any words!

The people hurled accusations at this would be king. “He saved others but he cannot save himself.” “He trusts God let God rescue him now.” “Let the Christ, the king of Israel, come down from the cross, that we may see and believe.” If Jesus had come down from the cross, the people’s eyes wouldn’t have been opened because they were so blind to what God was trying to convey. We, on the other hand, know the whole story, yet we tend to forget the extent of God’s love for us!

If Jesus had come down from the cross, there would have been a limit to God’s love. Jesus went the whole way, and died on the cross. That shows that there’s literally no limit to God’s love, there is nothing in the entire universe which that love isn’t prepared to suffer for all people. And we see that there is nothing, not even death on a cross, which that love will refuse to bear for all people!

God is in charge with a love that knows no limits…a love that will go to any length for us. We see God’s love through Christ. The cross speaks to our hearts, and opens our eyes. When we look at the cross, Jesus is saying to us, “God loves you that much, with a love that is limitless, a love that will bear every suffering earth has to offer.” A love that will not let us go! We don’t have to feel lost or abandoned, we know who’s in charge. So let us live as Easter people knowing God’s in charge. God bless you in your work and in your play, in your worship and in your serving.