Redefining Success
The City Was Stirred

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

Key Verse: Matthew 21:10

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

If we truly want to change our future for the good, we must start by defining what success is to us. Others will want to define it for us. Certainly, our world offers its definitions. Those around Jesus often pushed the world’s philosophies of success on Jesus. They wanted Him to “play the crowds” and seize the moment… ride into Jerusalem on a white horse, carrying a massive sword. Jesus would have nothing to do with it. Instead, Jesus chose a donkey and the people had to lay branches and coats down before Him – not a “red carpet.” Instead of “playing the crowd,” Jesus walked into the temple and cleared it of the rich and powerful. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, our scripture tells us the “whole city was stirred”! Why? Jesus refused to be defined by anyone or anything other than the truths of His Father in Heaven!

You and I have daily opportunities to change our futures and the journey begins with redefining success. We are made to seek success; making a better life and a better future for ourselves is a God-like trait. Therefore, we must be extremely careful of how we see success. Many people have wrecked their lives by defining success in the worldly terms of money, fame and power.

The crowds of Palm Sunday soon disappeared, leaving Jesus alone by Friday! Before this week of devotionals are completed, it’s my prayer that each of us can define our success by the eternal truths that Jesus lived and died for! As the Bible challenges: What good is it to gain the whole world but in the end, lose our souls? (Matthew 16:26).

Father, I seek your wisdom this week to set a course that will guide the rest of my life. Please show me the ultimate definition of success. In Jesus’ Name, amen.