Could Jesus Have Led a Revolt Against The Romans?

Tomorrow millions of Christians across the world will celebrate what we call ” Palm Sunday ” — the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was enthusiastically greeted by large crowds waving palm branches and other greenery. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” they shouted (Mark 11:9).

Could Jesus at that moment have led a popular revolt against the Romans, who ruled over the Holy Land and held it tightly in their grip? Quite possibly — and apparently, some of His followers expected Him to do exactly that. But that wasn’t His reason for coming to earth. He knew that any revolt against the Romans could lead to prolonged bloodshed (as it did several decades later in that part of the world). He also knew that political power alone can never solve the deepest problems of the human heart.

Instead, Jesus came for one reason: to reconcile us to God. God created us, and our lives are only fulfilled when we know Him and follow His will for our lives. But our sins have turned us away from God, and our greatest need is to have our sins forgiven and our lives transformed by the power of His Spirit within us. Through His death on the cross Jesus made this possible — and that is why He came. He declared, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

The greatest discovery you will ever make is that God loves you, and Christ gave His life so you could come to know God personally. May this Easter season truly be a time of celebration for you and your loved ones, as you turn to Christ for the forgiveness you need and invite Him to come and live within you.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.