Category — Bible Verses

Today is Palm Sunday, the day when Christians throughout the world commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as Messiah. The account is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, and in the Gospel of Matthew we find the passage where the people cried out Hosanna and then laid their cloaks and branches from trees on the road ahead of Jesus. The trees from which the branches were cut are presumably palm trees, thus we have Palm Sunday. Today’s post is not about trees though, it is about the manner in which Jesus entered Jerusalem, which is much more important.

“Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass.” – Zechariah 9:9 KJV

Jesus entered Jerusalem at the beginning of the Passover feast, the Passover itself being a type and shadow of His sacrifice that was to come later in that week. The people were in an uproar for two reasons: 1) those who believed that Jesus was the Messiah were expecting him to come as a natural king; 2) those who did not believe were angry and wanted Jesus dead.

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, he came riding on a donkey, which is the same way in which Solomon entered Jerusalem when he became the next king in the house of David. So the Old Testament prophesies of the Messiah were clear that He would sit on the throne of David forever, and that he would coming with salvation, lowly and riding upon an ass, or donkey. Those who were well versed in the scriptures knew this and recognized that Jesus was making the statement the He was King of the Jews and Savior of the world. Those in power, who did not believe in Jesus, would not stand for this. If you recall in the account they tried to silence the people, but Jesus told them if they would hold their peace that the stones would cry out. In other words, He was telling them that it was God’s doing and that no one could stop it. And even though they crucified him several days later, he proved he was The King on the first day of the coming week when he arose from the grave.

So today, let’s commemorate the coming of our Savior and King, who has come to us having the salvation that we so desperately need. And tomorrow, let’s live in His salvation and grace, keeping Him in the forefront of our lives. By the way, did you notice that today’s Bible quote is a Bible Double?

Here is the entire passage from Zechariah:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” – Zechariah 9:9 KJV

You can read the entire passage from Matthew here.

Well, we’ve made it through 2012 and have the wonderful opportunity to start fresh in 2013. There are so many New Year quotes about new beginnings, and new resolutions, and new other things that it was really hard to decide what to write this week. I’m not a big fan of New Year resolutions as they often are short-lived. I tend to think that if something it worthwhile enough to make a resolution to do it, then I should resolve to make it part of my lifestyle. Which brings me to a Bible quote about looking forward, and not looking back.

But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV

As we move into a new year we can take the Apostle Paul’s advice each and every day, perhaps I can call it a Daily Resolution. While we remember the past, cherishing the good and learning from from both good and bad experiences, we are not to live in the past. Paul teaches us how we are to live a saved life in Christ – by not looking back, but by looking forward to becoming more like Jesus Christ each day knowing that our place is with Him in eternity.

So as we start a new year, a new month, a new week, a new day, let’s always be looking ahead to the glory which God has prepared for those who love Him.

Today is Labor Day, and so I hope that many of you have the opportunity to take a break from your work and labors of life. And as it is Labor Day, I thought to share some “labor quotes” from the Bible. Notice that there is a common thread in the scriptures – we should labor for the things of God because while everything else comes up empty and passes away, the work we do in the service of God is never in vain. Enjoy and God bless!

Bible Labor Day Quotes

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” – Isaiah 55:2 NIV

“They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.” – Isaiah 65:23 NIV

“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his own people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.” – Jeremiah 22:13 NIV

“And Ephraim said, ‘Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors They shall find in me no iniquity that is sin.’ ” – Hosea 12:8 NKJV

“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages” – Malachi 3:5 NIV

“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.’ ” -Matthew 9:37 NKJV

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 NKJV

“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” – John 6:27 NKJV

“The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.” – 1 Corinthians 3:8 NIV

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” – Ephesians 4:28

“To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” – Colossians 1:29 NKJV

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NKJV

“For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.” – 1 Timothy 4:10 NKJV

“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” – Hebrews 6:10 NKJV

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.” – Revelation 2:2 NKJV

“Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’ ” – Revelation 14:13 NKJV