FROM THE PULPIT: WHO DO YOU SERVE?

The frogs vociferously chirping away these spring mornings remind me of one of Aesop's fable.

It seems that frogs long ago were not content with their happy, easygoing life in and near the water.

So they sent their complaint to Zeus, asking for a king to rule over them, to give their lives order and purpose. Zeus, amused at the frogs request, threw down a log into the pond.

The log made a tremendous splash and its noise sent the frogs scurrying for safety, but the log remained still for a very long time. The frogs eventually overcame their fear of their new "king," first gingerly climbing onto it then casually playing on it or sunning upon it, and eventually disdaining this king sent from above.

Once again the frogs petitioned Zeus for a king, "one who will really rule us." Less patient this time, Zeus sent a stork, who gobbled up many of the poor frogs, so that only a few remained.

The survivors sent a desperate plea to Zeus to have mercy and send a different king. Zeus, by this time angered at the frogs' silliness, retorted, "The frogs needed no king. But since they asked for one, they shall have to be content with what they have." (Aesop's Fables, Grosset and Dunlap, Inc., 1947, p. 48)

Aesop drew his own conclusions from this story, and I'm sure you will draw yours. But one thing often overlooked is our tendency to be like those frogs.

We will crave order and purpose in life. Without these, we feel helpless and without hope. And in some way, we too cry out for a king.

Some of us may serve ourselves, some of us may serve others, some people serve God, some serve money, or pleasure, or something else. "A person is a slave to whatever has mastered him," says the Bible (2 Peter 2:19).

Jesus himself said no one can serve two masters, you cannot serve God and money." If we are honest with ourselves, we all serve someone or something.

This Sunday is celebrated as Palm Sunday throughout most of Christianity. Palm Sunday is the day when Jesus entered Jerusalem as king.

Jesus did not come as a log-type king, who sat and did nothing. If he had done nothing, he certainly would have been dismissed by the Jews and Romans alike and ignored as inconsequential. However, it was the opposite reaction Jesus provoked.

Nor did Jesus come as a stork king, to rule as a tyrant, destroying his subjects to feed his personal desires and ambition. As Jesus later answered Pontius Pilate's inquiry, "My kingdom is not of this world. Rather, I have come to testify to the truth." (John 18:36-37)

Nor was Jesus sent to the world by a God who was amused, impatient, or angry at humanity. God himself took on flesh in the person of Jesus Christ because He loved us and because we needed Him.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John 3:16-17)

Jesus presented Himself as the Messiah, God's chosen king -- the king of Love -- that first Palm Sunday. By the power of His spirit, His rule not only save His subjects from sin, but produces loves, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control in the loves of those who follow Him. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Likewise, Jesus comes to you today, He comes to all of us. He offers Himself to us as our King, one who is worthy of all praise, honor, and thanksgiving.

Will you accept Him as the rightful King in your life? Will you serve Him today and always? A day of judgment is certainly coming (Matthew 25) but now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1). Serving Jesus as your king will be the best move you'll ever make!