paravanes:meditations

(c) Deborah Evans " Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' " --Matthew 21:4. This verse in Matthew is a description of the fulfillment of the prophecy found in Zachariah 9:9. This is a picture of a leader, Jesus, who maintains humility in the middle of the cheering, shouting crowd. This crowd, so thrilled to see him and acknowledge him as a king, will chant "crucify him!" later that same week. Seek humility in yourself and any human leader you follow. When your actions are powerful, you can easily choose and afford humility. When you have honest knowledge of human nature, that knowledge will help insulate you from deception by flattery.  Wrap the shield of humility around you and keep it close. Human nature is often too false and too fickle to do anything else. Imitate the humility of Jesus, and honor others who lift humility above pride, self celebration, and the...

You cannot rely upon the praises or the critiques of those who speak from or with the crowds. The same crowds that cheered Jesus on Palm Sunday shouted out for his execution by crucifixion later that same week. Listen to those who listen to you, who know you, who are willing to stay with you through silence, through joy, through pain, and through the days and the nights of everyday living.