Jesus Brings ‘Good Trouble’ to Jerusalem! & The ‘Good’ in Good Friday

ByUCTruthJamaica

Palm Sunday Scripture: ‘…See, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey… Zechariah 9:9 (NRSVUE)

Palm Sunday Affirmation:  Today, like Jesus, I master my thoughts and feelings in each experience as I courageously do what is mine to do.

Good Friday Scripture: “…‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus replied, ‘I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:42-43 (CEB)

Dear Prosperity Partners and Friends,

During the 6th Feast Day of the Lenten Season, known as Palm Sunday, we rode with Jesus into Jerusalem (the habitation of Peace). Entering from the east (the within) like, Jesus, we heard the crowds ‘Hosannas’ (Blessed is he/she who comes in the name of the Lord). We entered Jerusalem holding high in consciousness that the Kingdom of God is supreme to all other Kingdom claims, including Caesar’s. This brave move brought ‘good and necessary trouble’ to Jerusalem. Feeling threatened by Jesus, Rome arrested him and crucified him on the day we know as Good Friday. As we examine our lives, we, too, may have experienced a crucifixion or crossing out of error beliefs and thoughts in our own consciousness.

Thought painful and a horrible form of execution, on Good Friday, we were able to reflect on ‘the good’ in what happened on Good Friday. We now prepare ourselves to RISE on Easter morning into the Glory of God that cannot be denied.  

Here are Major Points from both the Palm Sunday and Good Friday lessons: 

  1. Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday set off a week of violence. However, Jesus neither encouraged nor participated in said violence. 

‘Good Trouble’ shakes up the status quo and reminds us of the Christ Standard that is based on justice, love, honesty, and equality. All systems built on the opposite must ultimately fail.

  1. Jesus’ motivation on Palm Sunday was not revenge for the structural systems of violence imposed against him and the Jewish people. But, to showcase God’s dominion, God’s triumph, God’s victory, God’s humility and God’s peace in the midst of all these things. 

Jesus turned to his own scriptures, Zechariah 9:9-11, to bring a vision of hope to the people who suffered under Rome’s rule. His intention was to bring their attention to God’s Kingdom as a present reality, even as Rome proclaimed otherwise in the west end of Jerusalem.

  1. Perhaps you believe, like Jesus, that you have been unjustly persecuted. Good Friday asks that you open your mind and heart to spiritual insights that the Holy Spirit offers as you reflect on the ‘Good’ in Good Friday. 
    1. Remember Me – No matter what we have done or did not do, we all want to be remembered in a ‘good light.’ This was true of the unnamed man who hung at Mt. Calvary alongside Jesus. Ask: How will I be remembered?
    2. Love Never Fails – Love never fails because Love never ends. God’s love in us is eternal, and it connects us one to another. In essence, we belong to each other. Jesus recognized this and gave to John and his mother, Mary, the obligation to take care of each other.
    3. Keep the Faith – Jesus’ faith in God never wavers. As we keep our eye on God, we place all matters that concern us on the altar of ‘God is in charge.’ Our souls affirm: All is well.

TASK: List the ways your thoughts and feelings have become more like Jesus. B. List the limitations and disharmonies that you crossed out or crucified on Good Friday. Leave them on the dust heap of the past. Proceed in what you know to be true about God, you, and others.

ASSIGNMENT: Pages 170-183, A Closer Walk With Jesus (UFBL); 40 Days of Letting Go, Lent 2023, pgs. 63-64; Daily Inspiration (UFBL);

Let’s Pray: 

God of Creation,
In Your Presence, I surrender all. Leaving behind all that hinders me, I rise up, and embrace all that blesses me. As a child of God, I am free. Praise God, I am free.
Amen.

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