"Impressive"

There is a tremendous amount of pressure to be impressive. We are affirmed when we look impressive, sound impressive and act impressive; as it is defined by our culture. Have you ever felt this pressure or created it? I am guessing very few of us have not bumped up against this one way or another.

• Someone is sharing an accomplishment of one sort or another and we think of what we can add to the conversation to bring some attention back our way.
• “Well your kid may be an Eagle Scout but my toddler is already being looked at for a full-ride football scholarship to Ohio State.”
• “Congratulations on your half-marathon finish, you probably won’t want to run the full marathon with me next week then.”
• My country is better than yours, my house is bigger than yours, my…”

The examples of this tendency go on and on. We like to be a part of something that is impressive in one way or another. On the other side of the spectrum are people that are an absolute blessing to the people around them. Have you ever met someone that doesn’t feel any need to draw attention their themselves or their experiences? They are in the moment to hear your story or build you up and it is a beautiful thing. Could Oak Hill be made up of a group of these people?

As Palm Sunday and the Triumphal Entry of Jesus approaches we are reminded again that the followers of Jesus so wanted Him to be impressive. I can’t think of another person who ever lived that was even close to being as impressive as Jesus. But Jesus was most impressive in His amazing humility. No one ever faced as much temptation as Jesus to be impressive. The temptation for Jesus was simply to be who He naturally was and give us all what we naturally deserve – not grace and mercy!

As the “Hosannas” rose from the crowd it was easy for everyone to join in on the impressive proclamation of an impressive new king– in this moment Jesus was acting impressive as humanity naturally defines it! But the part of the story that is really amazing is the fact that Jesus was well aware of the Cross that was to come and He fully comprehended that the praises would continue only if He remained “impressive.” But…

• He would choose suffering and our salvation over His own comfort and honor.
• He would bring us life as He gave up His own.
• He would bring us love and hope as He took our sin and death.
• Jesus set aside the truthful cries of “Hosanna” to accept willingly “Crucify Him”.

Now, that is really impressive!

• Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the inter-ests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…  Philippians 2.3-5

Let’s follow our “Always Impressive” King,

Pastor Nick