As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it.
Luke 19:41
On March 3, 1836 , only 183 men remained to defend The Alamo against a huge army led by Santa Anna. Two hours before dusk, the Mexican guns suddenly stopped firing. The end was near.
The Commander of The Alamo, William Travis quickly assembled his men. He told them that no reinforcements were coming. "Our doom is certain," Travis told the tired, beaten men. Then, Travis pulled his sword from its sheath and drew a line in the dirt. He asked every man who was committed to remain in the Alamo , fight and die to cross the line.
Topley Holland was the first man to cross the line. Others quickly followed. Another man was Colonel Jim Bowie. He was very sick and unable to cross the line on his own, so he called for help. Four men carried him from his cot and lifted him over the line. On March 6, the Alamo fell. Every man within her walls died.
But, as their lives ended a great new beginning sprang forth. Because of their choice to cross the line, the Republic of Texas
The moment Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He had crossed the line. The end was near.
This should have been the happiest single day in Jesus' life. Yet, we read that “He wept over” the city. Why? After all, huge Passover crowds had come out to greet Him. So many people, in fact, that the Pharisees murmured, "Look! The whole world has gone after him!" Yes, when Palm Sunday began it appeared as though Jesus’ preaching ministry would be a huge success.
But Jesus knew better. He knew how disloyal the crowds would become. He knew that when He needed His people the most, they would all forsake Him and run away. This same welcoming crowds would escort Him to the Cross. Today, they were shouting, "Hosanna!" By Friday, they were shouting, "Crucify Him!" Before this week finished, Jesus would be arrested, tried, whipped, humiliated, spat upon, cursed at, betrayed, crucified, dead, and buried.
He had crossed the line. But, as His life ended a great new beginning sprang forth.
He shed His blood for us. And now He draws a line in the sand and asks you to cross over to His side. Make no mistake, if you choose Jesus, you will need to make a very special kind of commitment. Now is the time.
As we approach Easter, will you cross the line to the Cross of Christ?
This week’s prayer
Dear Lord, I offer my eternal thanks for your Son Jesus Christ. He died for me so that I may spend eternity in your glorious presence. Please guide me so that I will not take lightly my commitment to Jesus. Help me to live a Jesus kind of sacrifice. Amen.
