Living History

The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!"
—John 12:12-13

What did you do this past weekend? The weather certainly invited outdoor activities, work around the home, and time with friends. Perhaps you took time for worship or an afternoon’s sports event.

One thing I did this weekend was to look back in the past and see what others did years ago. I find looking back really helps me get today in perspective and look forward to tomorrow.

• 1989 - 22 years ago today, thousands of Chinese students faced down the military, and one brave soul defied a tank in Tiananmen Square.
• 1970 - 41 years ago Sunday the ill fated lunar mission Apollo 13—"Houston we have a problem!"—splashed down safely in the Pacific, to a nation’s relief.
• 196 - 150 years ago Sunday the ill fated Bay of Pigs invasion on Cuba began.
• 1912 - 99 years ago Friday, the Titanic sank off the coast of Newfoundland, in the dark of night amidst icebergs. 1,500 souls were lost when the "unsinkable" ship sank.
• 1906 - 105 years ago today the great San Francisco earthquake destroyed the entire city and the lives of 3,000 were lost.
• 1521 - 490 years ago this weekend, Martin Luther stood before the Diet of Worms where he refused to recant his writings and the Protestant reformation was born.

Perhaps the most significant event that happened this weekend so very long ago is also the most relevant to our lives today:

• 33 - 1,978 years ago, approximately, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a small donkey, not a conqueror's stallion, to the cheers of the masses who sought temporal relief from Roman oppressors, only to learn later that the real oppressor, Evil, was vanquished by the Easter event.

The masses wanted to give Him a crown as King, but He made His way faithfully to the Cross of salvation. He demonstrated love’s true mission through the way of the cross, not the glamour of the crown.

It is a daily lesson for me to live out the history of His teaching that true greatness lies not in power but service. That true humility is found in using your person, position and influence to help others. That people will not always understand why you do what you do, but if you stay true to the Lord’s leading, someday they will "get it" and thank you.

"Jesus said; "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves." Luke 22:25-27