As Jesus was riding the donkey down the streets of Jerusalem, people were convinced He was going to start a revolution and save them from Roman rule. They were ready for physical war and were cheering for their champion. What they thought was going to happen didn’t happen the way they were anticipating. The people wanted a someone to rescue them from governmental rules. But Jesus came to save them from much more than taxes. He came to save them spiritually and eternally.
They were frustrated, angry and disappointed when He didn’t meet their immediate expectations. When people feel that way, they are easily manipulated and swayed. When they heard whispers of discontent and betrayal, they didn’t stop to think about who He was and what He had already done. They lost perspective that they could hope for what He could do beyond their expectations. They just stopped following Him, stopped remembering what He had taught them, and forgot what they had been healed of and freed from.
Let’s translate these thoughts and emotions into our parenting. When what you thought God was going to do in your child’s life is different than the current reality, how do you respond to God? When your child has colic or life-threatening food allergies, but you prayed for a healthy baby, how do you respond to God? When your child continues to disobey even when you asked God to help your child be obedient, how do you respond to God? When your child continues to do drugs even after rehab, how do you respond to God?
How can we be like Jesus instead of the crowds in these hard moments? We must remember that Jesus knew all that was going to happen to Him. He knew the betrayal, disappointment, and sadness that would come and chose to walk right into it. He didn’t stop listening to God or turn against Him like the crowd did. No matter what happens in our children’s lives, we must continue to trust God. They will disappoint us, things will not always work out the way we’d hoped, but God still loves us. God still loves them and has a plan that goes beyond our expectations.
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to Him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I Am He,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) John 18:4-6
Take some time and pray that God will give you faith to trust Him with your children no matter what.
