Friday, May 20th
Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up will draw all men unto me".
John 12:32

A few feet above the people was I lifted up and borne by the humble beast if burden into Jerusalem on the Sunday before my death. And seeing Me thus the people shouted with joy and sang to greet the King who had come to lead them and to accept their fealty.

The cost of faithful following proved too much for most, and when a few days later I was lifted a few feet higher in suffering kingship the subjects were few indeed though their quality great.

So has it always been down the ages and even so today. Those who are closest to Me see and suffer the reality of discipleship. Those nearest to my heart are inevitably shot through with the agony of My suffering to some degree, however small.

And that identification with My suffering both unites them with Me and provides a spiritual magnate for the children of the Father who do not relate to His love or My sovereignty in suffering love.

All who seek to worship or serve their Heavenly Father and to identify with My saving death and risen life must both rejoice in My sovereignty as did the people of Jerusalem as the people of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and also stay patiently in my Presence as I reign from the cross of pain.