Matthew 21.1-27-"Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me."...The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats.
Numbers 17-18-Now on the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds.
Ecclesiastes 11.1-8-The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.
Philippians 3.4b-14-I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
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Sometimes the teeth look vicious but the dog is loving. This is Sadie, she looks and sounds like an attack dog. But Sadie is a loving house pet. Gentle and caring and loving. Looks can deceive.
Jesus told his disciple to get a donkey and a colt in the Matthew passage. This is for what we today call Palm Sunday. Matthew mentions a donkey and a colt. When I read this, I can't help but to think what a trick this must have been. They laid their coats on "them" and Jesus rode. How did He ride both of "them"? Some people like to debate all the fine details of this passage. You can research it and find out all sorts of possibilities. I could spend way too much time arguing and debating over the literal verses the meaning intended. I could focus on the "teeth" of the passage and miss out on the "whole dog" altogether. But I see today that Jesus rode triumphantly, yet humbly in service and love for me to His painful death in Jerusalem to give me life and salvation. Jesus rode humbly, yet triumphantly into Jerusalem for all the world to be saved from sin and death. Now there is the "whole dog" and not just the "teeth". Jesus took on the "teeth" of sin and death to save the world.
In the "teeth" of the cross, I am reminded of the rod of Aaron. Placed in the Ark of the Covenant as a reminder to me of the wood of the cross. The "teeth" of death and sin, that budded and produced the flowers of Life through Jesus. What's inside that box there. The Ark? It's the Law, the manna or the Bread of Life and the rod of Aaron. Law---Jesus in the Bread---Fruit of the wood. The heart of God is Law-Love-Fruit of Grace.
You see the "teeth" of the rod brings forth the Fruit of the blossoms of Life in the "whole dog".
Through the "teeth" of the cross, I am brought to the Light of Easter morning. That rising Son on that wonderful day that Jesus steps into this world in Life for all to see. Eternal Life. Life, promised and freely given to you and I through the "teeth" of the cross and bearing fruit in the buds of the wood of that cross through the Life of Jesus. A gift for you and for me. There is that love of the "whole dog". There is God's grace!
In this I respond and press on past the "teeth" of the dog, towards that prise of Life eternal in my Savior. Life eternal beginning now. Life with my Savior here on earth and in the world to come.
Don't let yourself get too wrapped up in all the detail of colts and donkeys and riding tricks. See past the "teeth" of the cross to the "whole dog" in the love and eternal life of our loving, compassionate, saving Christ. Our Savior , Jesus Christ, our Lord! Thanks be to God!
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Lord, you have defeated the "teeth" of sin and death and changed that old cross into a symbol of joy and hope and salvation. I look forward to being with you now, this day and in eternity. ---Amen
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