Sometimes we get so focused on the dead, that we don't see life when it's right in front of us.

Israel thought Jesus was going to save them from Rome. The reality was that Jesus came to save all of humankind from sin and death, including any Roman leader who would put their faith in Him. But Israel didn't recognize that Jesus came to bring life. They were focused on the death of their current circumstances and wanted to fix it by removing Rome as the dominant power over them. The apostle Paul says, "The mind that is set on the flesh is death, but the mind that is governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6).

A man named Jairus experienced his own focus-on-death moment. When his daughter was near death, he beckoned Jesus to come and heal her, but on the way to Jairus' house a woman with a physical healing need stops Jesus' progress because she needs a miracle, and Jairus' daughter dies before Jesus can arrive. Everyone at Jairus' house loses hope. They are focused on death, but Jesus tells them that they need only to have faith.

Hosanna means "Save Us." Jesus came to save us by bringing us eternal life with him, but we need to get our focus off of the death in our circumstances and onto the life offered by Jesus!

Have you been hiding from God?

We were created beautifully in the image of God. We had a design, specifically as image bearers representing God among His creation. But as we experience life in this sinful world, fear, anxiety, anger, depression, greed, envy and shame all begin to seep into the cracks of our life and it changes us. It transforms us and distorts our sense of self. After being exposed to these vices so many times, we begin to lose sight of our authentic self.

Without sin, it was easy to live in the beautiful image God created for us, but when humans chose to put themselves above God and allow sin into their hearts, they lost their identity. We have all done this. Every human being has turned their back on God, including you and me. But there is a way to rediscover our lost identity and be free from the effects a sinful life has had on our sense of self. That way is accepting the love and grace of Jesus, making Him King in our hearts. Check out this amazing message from Pastor Rich on continuing us to rediscover our "authentic self."

If this message on identity has made an impact on you and you would like to talk to someone about how you can discover a real identity in Jesus, we would love to talk to you about it! You can text 315-444-2100 and speak to a pastor right now!