Today is Palm Sunday in our build-up to Easter Sunday. This is the day when the crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem beginning his final week of ministry before His sacrifice and death on the cross. What began with jubilation would end, in just 5 short days, with hate filled condemnation and cruelty. It is amazing how the people changed their minds and attitudes so quickly.
Today, I will be preaching about how the multitude, who praised Jesus on Palm Sunday, turned on Him shouting lies and blasphemy while He suffered on the cross. Words can hurt as much as clenched fists or metal spikes.
Why are people so hateful?
Why do people say things so easily that slash and put others down?
The truth is that harmful words come out of people who have troubled hearts. Remember what Jesus said, “For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Matthew 12:34). When you hear vile and hurtful words, you know that the person speaking them has a heart problem.
Jesus did not throw bad words back at those mocking Him. He prayed for them. He said, “Father, forgive them.” Imagine that. In at storm of shouting and cursing, Jesus prayed and forgave. It must have been like that moment in the boat when He spoke to the wind and angry waves, “Peace be still” (Mark 4:39). The difference was that the wind and waves obeyed, but the crowd didn’t. The mob kept on shouting and Jesus kept on praying. I think He’s still praying and asking God to forgive us for our mindless words toward others that are harmful and unbecoming.
I learned a song when I was a kid:
Today, I will be preaching about how the multitude, who praised Jesus on Palm Sunday, turned on Him shouting lies and blasphemy while He suffered on the cross. Words can hurt as much as clenched fists or metal spikes.
Why are people so hateful?
Why do people say things so easily that slash and put others down?
The truth is that harmful words come out of people who have troubled hearts. Remember what Jesus said, “For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Matthew 12:34). When you hear vile and hurtful words, you know that the person speaking them has a heart problem.
Jesus did not throw bad words back at those mocking Him. He prayed for them. He said, “Father, forgive them.” Imagine that. In at storm of shouting and cursing, Jesus prayed and forgave. It must have been like that moment in the boat when He spoke to the wind and angry waves, “Peace be still” (Mark 4:39). The difference was that the wind and waves obeyed, but the crowd didn’t. The mob kept on shouting and Jesus kept on praying. I think He’s still praying and asking God to forgive us for our mindless words toward others that are harmful and unbecoming.
I learned a song when I was a kid:
O be careful little tongue what you say,
O be careful little tongue what you say;
For your Father up above is looking down in love,
O be careful little tongue what you say.
O be careful little tongue what you say;
For your Father up above is looking down in love,
O be careful little tongue what you say.
The cross speaks to us about the words we use and the thoughts we think about others. Let’s be careful to not use words that cause harm to others or become a stumbling block to the Lord’s work. The Bible says, “…by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37)
Every word we use matters to Jesus.
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