Control And Humility!

April 13, 2025, Palm Sunday

Control And Humility!

Most of us want to be in control of our life…and sometimes we want to be in control of the lives of other people.  I wonder if much of what happens in abusive family relationships, oppressive work environments, and in high-level political arenas is mostly about control…controlling other people, controlling circumstances, controlling myself. 

The more we need/want to be in control of circumstances and people, the more we tend to abuse power.  The more we abuse power, the less humble and gentle we become.  Eventually, our heart grows cold, our mind loses focus on the most important things, and our soul knows no real peace or joy.

A gentle spirit and a humble heart are at odds with control.  Unless the control in our life is based in God’s love for us, God’s desire for our obedience, and God’s longing to have us close to His heart, we will gradually lose our way.

The tension between our attempts to be in control and our desire for a humble heart and a gentle spirit is nothing new. 

Today, the Church remembers and celebrates what has become known as “Palm Sunday.”  The focus of today is on Jesus’ final entry into the city of Jerusalem.  Although no one yet knew what was about to happen, Jesus would be executed five days later. 

The anticipation, celebration, and re-definition of the coming Messiah is escalated on Psalm Sunday.  The Apostle John describes the palm parade that envelopes Jesus as He enters Jerusalem.  In John 12:12-16 we hear;

“The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.  So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,

‘Hosanna!  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!’” 

“Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:  ‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion.  Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!’  His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him.”

The people hoped to welcome a new king, a strong military strategist, a leader of a rebellion against Rome.  They were looking for someone to take back control of their lives from the Roman Empire.  They were worn out by the oppression, the abuse, and the cruelty that came with Rome’s occupation and control of Israel.   

Although Jesus could have taken on any one or all of these roles to overthrow the Roman Empire, Jesus chooses another role.  Jesus chooses a humble way, a gentle way, a God-honoring way to restore peace and joy and love for all people.

When you read John’s description of the palm parade, note his emphasis on the donkey.  If Jesus was living into the people’s expectation of the Savior, Jesus would have rode a horse.  The horse was a symbol of military power and strength.

Instead, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey.  The donkey was a lowly animal used for common labor.  Jesus could have come on a horse to take back control from the Roman Empire.  In contrast, Jesus comes on a donkey to show the importance of a humble heart and a gentle spirit.

The Savior comes in a parade rather than in a show of military power.  The Messiah comes on a donkey rather than in a demonstration of political rebellion.

Could this be the way Jesus wants us to live our lives?  Imagine Jesus showing us the importance of living with a humble heart and a gentle spirit rather than always seeking to control other people or circumstances.

I invite you to spend some time in prayer this week with the following questions.

+What or who am I trying to control?

+Have I slipped into subtle or not so subtle ways of manipulating people?

+Do I occasionally or often stretch the truth so I can get my way?

+Does my frustration or even my anger bubble up more than I would like?

+Do any of the people about whom I care the most, accuse me of trying to control their life?

+Would my best friend describe me as a person with a humble heart and a gentle spirit?

If you would like to cultivate a humble heart and a gentle spirit (instead of trying to be in control), I encourage you to engage in some conversation with Jesus.  Ask Jesus to grow your heart and mind and soul to be like the heart and mind and soul of Jesus.

It may take some time.  It will definitely take some effort.  It will absolutely require the help of Jesus, the support of friends, and the encouragement of those you love most. 

Imagine growing a humble heart and gentle spirit like Jesus displayed during that palm parade into Jerusalem.  As you are transformed from the inside out, your heart will be filled with delight in the Lord for the amazing things He is doing in you and through you.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug