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Do Your Worst

There is so much I could discuss this week. 

I celebrated my 39th birthday on Friday, so it would be appropriate to discuss how grateful I am for what God has done in my life over the years. 

The tragedy of another school shooting, this one being a Christian school, has made me reflect on the evil in the world and long for the return of Christ. 

Politically, our country faces more unrest as former President Donald Trump was indicted this week. 

The content is there. But rather than take a defensive stance, I choose to go on the offensive and attack the enemy where it hurts him the most.

Today, we enter the week of the Passion of Christ. It is my favorite time of year and is the holiest week for Christians worldwide. 

Most of the time, we focus on how the people cheered and praised Jesus. It’s strange to link this crowd with the same people who, in a week’s time, were calling for His death. The people wanted a king to deliver them from the physical bondage of the Roman Empire. Jesus was not what they expected.

What they didn’t understand is that the Kingdom of God is beyond this world and the prince of darkness who rules here. Reading this story again this week, what stands out to me is His mode of transportation. 

“Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.” (Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭30‬, ‭32‬, ‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

A donkey. Not even a full grown donkey. The symbol of peace for the Prince of peace. Yes, the people waved palm branches to signify triumph and victory. But they didn’t understand what triumph was coming. Jesus came to bring peace. And His triumph would be over sin and death to bring us eternal life.

Being the Prince of peace didn’t mean that Christ was the passive, mild-faced person that is often portrayed in paintings. In fact, after He rode into town in triumph and peace, He made a whip and cleansed the temple of those that took advantage of God’s people. 

He would go on to teach us to serve by washing feet.

The leaders would arrest Him because of the betrayal of a friend.

He would suffer and die at the hands of some of the most brutal men to ever live.

He would meet up with Satan himself and take the keys if death, hell and the grave.

And He would rise again, victorious. This time, people weren’t waving palm branches and singing “Hosanna.” They had already done that.

So today, I am reminding the enemy that he may wreak havoc, but Christ is King. Jesus knew what was coming and rode straight into it. 

In following His example, I can speak out in love about the injustice of the loss of life anywhere and how utterly wrong it is that a group would speak out against Christians in the wake of such a tragedy. I am reminded that the first evil act of murder was done with a rock in the hand of a jealous brother, so the weapon is not the issue.

I can declare with boldness that we, as a country, are in a dark place indeed when all respect for authority is completely ignored in the name of “social justice.” What I know is that the Bible teaches me to pray for leaders and no one is appointed to govern without God Himself allowing it to happen.

I can celebrate another year of life in peace because I have allowed Christ to rule my heart and am a citizen of His kingdom on earth as I will be in Heaven.

So do your worst, Satan. Death may be coming on Friday, but the grave will be empty on Sunday.

© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries.  All rights reserved.

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