Setting Our Sights on Heaven: Choosing Jesus Over Earthly Desires

Setting Our Sights on Heaven: Choosing Jesus Over Earthly Desires
What we focus on determines our direction in life. The Apostle Paul's words in Colossians 3:1-4 remind us to set our sights on heavenly realities rather than earthly things, since we have been raised to new life in Christ.

The Triumphal Entry: A Moment of Both Insight and Misunderstanding
As Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds shouted "Hosanna!" (meaning "save us now") and recognized Him as king. While they showed great insight in acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah, they fundamentally misunderstood His mission. They expected a political liberator who would overthrow Roman rule, but Jesus came for spiritual liberation.

Why Did the Crowds Choose Barabbas Over Jesus?
The same crowds that welcomed Jesus with "Hosanna!" soon shouted "Crucify Him!" when given the choice between Jesus and Barabbas. This dramatic shift reveals several important truths:

• People without a firm foundation are easily influenced and manipulated
• The crowds wanted an earthly messiah, not a heavenly one
• Barabbas represented the political revolutionary they desired
• Their focus was on immediate earthly freedom rather than eternal spiritual freedom

Who Was Barabbas Really?
Contrary to common perception, Barabbas wasn't just a common criminal. He was:

• A revolutionary figure
• Likely a Zealot fighting against Roman rule
• Someone many people admired as a freedom fighter
• The type of messiah the crowds wanted

How Do We Choose Our Own "Barabbas" Today?
We often make the same choice as the ancient crowds when we:

• Prioritize immediate gratification over spiritual growth
• Choose what makes us happy in the moment
• Want quick results instead of lasting transformation
• Focus on earthly kingdoms rather than God's kingdom

Life Application
This week, examine where your sights are set by asking yourself:

• Am I choosing immediate satisfaction over eternal value?
• What "Barabbas options" am I tempted to choose over Jesus?
• Are my decisions based on heavenly realities or earthly desires?

Challenge: Each time you make a decision this week, pause and ask yourself if you're choosing based on eternal kingdom values or temporary earthly desires. Make a conscious effort to set your sights on heavenly realities rather than earthly solutions.

Remember: A Jesus created in our imagination will always disappoint us. Choose to follow the Jesus revealed in Scripture, even when His ways don't align with our immediate desires.