Transformed – teen devotion – April 5, 2020
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:9
Filled with need
Fill in the blank. “I am ________.”
Lots of good words could go in that blank: Loved. Forgiven. Valuable.
How about this? “I am needy.”
How do you feel about that statement? Most of us do not like to think of ourselves as needy. In fact, we do all we can to avoid being seen as needy. We wander around when we’re lost instead of asking someone for directions. We fail an assignment because we won’t ask for help since we’re embarrassed that we don’t know how to do it.
Palm Sunday is all about being unashamed of being a needy person. “Hosanna” is really a cry out to God to “save us!” It’s admitting we have a need that only Jesus can fill. The people who originally said these verses for today were excited because here was the Messiah—the promised one who would fill so many of the needs they had.
Jesus is the one who truly can and does meet all your needs.
You don’t have to wrestle with guilt and shame for that lie you told, or that site you looked at. You need forgiveness. You need grace. And you get to confess your need to God. You’re in need of mercy and grace. Jesus gives it to you. He always does.
So, empty yourself of excuses for your sin. Don’t justify it (“Well, here’s why I had to tell that lie”). Don’t minimize it (“I only looked at the site for 30 seconds. It’s no big deal.”). Don’t deny it (“I didn’t gossip. I was only having fun.”).
Own up to it. Own up to your sin and need of forgiveness.
Jesus fills your need completely. Go to him today and every day.
Prayer: Jesus, I admit I am needy! I can’t go through life alone. I can’t deal with my guilt and shame alone. It’s so freeing to be able to admit my need to you and receive your forgiveness. Let me get excited each day that you fulfill all my needs. I pray this in your name. Amen.
