Palm Sunday

When Jesus came to Jerusalem we see three towns there related to his triumphal entry: Jericho, Bethphage and Bethany.

He actually came from Jericho. (Matt. 20:29).
First he reached Bethphage. (Matt. 21:1).
That night he spent in Bethany. (Matt. 21:17).

In Bethphage donkey was tied. (Matt. 21:2)
In Jericho a man was beaten. (Lk. 10:30)
In Bethany Lazarus was dead. (Jn. 11:14)

"Tied, beaten and was killed." This is the fate of a man. This is the strategy of the devil for the man whom he caught into his net. When Adam sinned the whole humanity came before the judgment seat of the Lord. They are sentenced to death. But the Judge now wanted to take human form to pay the price to deliver him.

They sung a song. "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD..." (Ps 118:26). It sounds good but the very next verse says to tie the victim to the horns of the altar. "...bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.(Ps. 118:27). Who is that sacrifice? The same One who comes in the name of the LORD. Now it is his last visit to Jerusalem. He is going to be TIED, BEATEN and then will DIE. This is the payment. 

He is taking the place of the man to pay the price. In resurrection the devil will pay the price for all the things he has done.

In Bethphage donkey was delivered. (Matt. 21:3)
In Jericho a man was healed. (Lk. 10:34)
In Bethany Lazarus was resurrected. (Jn. 11:44)

Better Covenant

Elijah was privileged to have a great invitation. God sent him fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses.

John the Baptist got the same spirit but he did not get the fiery chariot but fiery sufferings. He was beheaded. 

Which one is the better invitation? the former or the latter? What do you think?

There are some people "tortured, not accepting release, to obtain resurrection to a better life." (Heb. 11:35)

New Testament is better than the Old one. It is unique by its sufferings for the One whom we loved. I am looking for a better resurrection. Do you?