Chag Sameach Pesach

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,  took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
      “ Hosanna!
      ‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
      The King of Israel!” (John 12:12-13)

What transpired between this verse, and a few days later when the crowd could be heard shouting,
      “Crucify Him!  Then Pilate said to them, 'Why, what evil has He done?'
       But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

Jesus had performed great miracles for the people, even raising Lazarus from the dead prior to the shouting of Hosannas.  The multitudes were shouting and proclaiming Jesus as their King.  Within a very short period of time, they called for his death.

I don't mean to diminish the importance of the life of Jesus, but I can't help but think of fair-weather friends.  When the Denver Football Team goes into the play-offs and the Super Bowl becomes a reality, everyone becomes a fan.  The town turns Blue & Orange.  The praises of the Denver Broncos are shouted everywhere.  If they should win the big game, parades and great pomp and circumstance takes place.  More often than not, they experience a loss and a great number of people who previously spoke glowingly of their winsome now hurl nothing but insults.  No fanfare, no parades, no orange and blue face painting.

In fairness to Jesus, the religious leaders of the time were behind the scenes trying to discredit him and incite the people against him.  I wonder how many people had been touched by Jesus, healed, saw the miracles, eaten bread with the 5000, and yet turned their back on him?  In the end, even those closest to Jesus, his 12 disciples, & closest friends, did not stand up for him.  When Jesus faced his darkest hours and asked them to pray, none stayed awake for even an hour.  Of course, had they known what was about to come, quite possibly they would have stayed awake and prayed?  It's hard to know.

But I have to ask myself, am I a fair-weather friend of Jesus?  When life is good, His miracles and blessings are evident and I'm found shouting Hosanna!

Do I run to Him when trouble comes, pouring out my woes, but don't take the time to listen to what is on His heart?  Do I hear Him when He asks, "Will you watch with me one hour?"  Am I so close to His heart that I understand how important that time of watching and praying is, even if I don't understand or don't know what lies ahead?