“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
And so it begins…the approach into the arena. As Palm Sunday is now upon us Jesus is entering his arena, Jerusalem.
We celebrate this day with cheering, waving of palms, and the joy of people haling who, we thought, knew their savior. But I am always struck by the fact that Jesus knew better. He knew what he was entering into and he CHOSE to enter. He was made for THIS. As scary and horrific an arena He was walking into, He entered anyway.
He was made to take on the sins of the world and save us all, but He had to enter the arena to do this… “This is the most active thing Jesus did on Earth…” He entered anyway.
Thousands followed Him… the Jewish leaders didn’t know why. How does one man, a Galilean, do this, they ask.
They surround him, on the sidelines, criticize him, try to trap him in games of logic, but fail.
They are now afraid. And with fear come lies, plotting, and betrayal. Jesus knew all this… and He entered anyway.
HE ENTERED ANYWAY!
It is Jesus, when entering into Jerusalem, who shows us how to enter into our own personal arenas with strength, courage, and dignity. When doubt crosses your mind remember this, Jesus’ place was “… never with the cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat”
So when entering your arena, know that Jesus is right there with you. He entered His arena FOR YOU, BY NAME! Ask Him for strength and courage. He is with you always, and with His grace, you will know His triumph.
-Diana