April 5

“And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory. . .?” 1 Corinthians 4:7

When the Lord Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt, the crowds shouted in acclamation. Let us suppose for a moment that the colt, upon hearing the cry of hosanna and seeing the branches on the road, should turn to the Lord and ask, “Is this cry for you or for me?” or should turn to the ass, its mother, and say, “After all, l was the one chosen; so I am nobler than you.” It would be evident that the colt did not recognize the One who rode upon it.

Many of us who are God’s servants are just as foolish. God’s sovereign choice of whom he may use reflects no credit on us at all. It is he whom we uplift who is to be praised. The shouts of hosanna are never for us, nor are the palm branches, though we should discover them beneath our feet. And as for us fools who would say, “I am better than you”—one day we shall wake up to the truth and be utterly ashamed of ourselves.