"There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build," Ecclesastes 3:1-3
 
It's the time the dash (on a tombstone) that matters -- the time between when you are born and when you die. It's not enough just to live our lives. What are we doing with them?

The world wants to stop aging. Try to control time. We can't.

 "a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing," Ecclesiastes 3:4-5

You are not accidental. Your circumstances aren't accidental. In the above verses Solomon writes from negative to positive. In the next few verses he does the opposite:

   "a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:6-8

In the end, it just is (the negative and the positive of life). We have no control over our births. 

The question is, do we even matter? Are we a mere speck of dust? The world thinks people re expendable. God doesn't! God says each and everyone of us is here for a purpose, is here because He loves us. 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

God wants us for eternity.

"What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race." Ecclesiastes 3:9-10

"By the sweat of your brow
    you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
    since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
    and to dust you will return." Genesis 3:19

The world thinks it is all a treadmill. If you base your life on the world, you will not be satisfied. 

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

This (the above verse) is where it all changes. Beauty! Eternity is in our human heart/mind.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

God has His hands on everything. 

Our birth:

"For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb." Psalm 139:13

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”Jeremiah 1:5

"So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

We don't know the reasons, but we do have a desire to know. There is a biological imprint in our DNA for a desire for eternity and God. Our knowledge is only what God shares with us.

"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12

"I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.' Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Our life and our work are gifts from God. Nothing is better than "to be happy and to do good." He has work for us to do.

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:20

He wants us to do His work. He created us specifically how we are. God's plans aren't our plans. The only things that will last will be the stuff we do for Jesus.

How do we live?

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12

The secret? Walking in the will of God.

We live for eternity but live in the moment. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

 "I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him." Ecclesiastes 3:14

"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16

The meaning is not in the contrast. God's incorporating all of them into His plan. He then invades our experiences. Time doesn't matter to God, but we do. He gives us a life so we can experience it and Him. Our mortality was decided by us. Our eternity was decided by Him. 

The Triumphal Entry. When the Romans would have a victory parade, the leader would be led in with a powerful chariot. All his troops would be marching behind him. It was a big deal. They were conqueroring heroes!

Jesus came in a donkey in a victory parade of sorts (though humbly and nothing like the Roman parade). But excitement was in the air. 2.5 million people were in town for the passover.  Jesus was normally very quiet about his ministry. Would heal people and then tell them not to tell anyone about him. 

"Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Matthew 8:4

Why did this happen? Did Jesus give the crowds what they wanted so all would see it wouldn't be as they thought it would? They wanted a conquering hero. Jesus came in on a donkey proclaiming peace, but there was no conquering Rome. He had to first conquer sin.

Remember the streets were crowded with people. Celebration feeling in the air. Parties. Reunions. People planning this for a year. 

"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
"This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a] Matthew 21:1-5 (and quoting Zechariah 9:9)

Matthew was a Jewish writer writing to a Jewish audience. He knew how important it was to show that Jesus fulfilled prophecy.

"From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." Matthew 16:21

Jesus knew why He was going to Jerusalem. He had tried to prepare His disciples to face His death.

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29

John the Baptist knew who Jesus was right away!

Prior to going to Jerusalem, Jesus spent time with Lazarus, Martha and Mary in Bethany. Between Bethany and Jerusalem they would go over the Mount of Olives (called this because it was covered in Olive trees). Jesus would look down on Jerusalem before He arrived.
 "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes." Luke 19:41-42

Jesus told the disciples where to find a donkey for the procession. They did exactly what He told them to do.

"The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on." Matthew 21:6-7

Cloaks and branches were laid down to cut the dust. This was the "red carpet" treatment!

 "A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna[a] to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
“Hosanna[c] in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:8-9

Palm branches and the shout "Hosanna" were signs of victory. Hosanna is a victory chant. The city was shaken (like in an earthquake) with the crowd's enthusiasm. So much fanfare the ground shook. 

There people had huge expectations for Jesus, what Jesus would do for them. They thought they were going to gain from Jesus -- gain physical freedom from Rome. Be free from Rome's taxes. People quickly got disillusioned with Jesus because they didn't cash in with Jesus as they thought they would. Jesus never promises a life of ease. There is only one place in the Gospel where Jesus uses the word "easy."

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

God's great promise is His presence, not a life of ease. His promises aren't for material junk.

"When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophetfrom Nazareth in Galilee.”Matthew 21:10-11

(Where "stirred" is used in this verse is where the ground shook with excitement)

The people are shouting for Him. Jesus is in tears (see Luke 19:41-42) over their blindness.

 "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes." Luke 19:41-42

They didn't get it. They didn't understand why Jesus was there. Nobody was getting it. They were twisting all of it to their own agendas. He promises redemption, His presence, Eternal life. Before victory there has to be the sacrifice for sin.

Jesus is coming back as a warrior eventually. See below:

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." Revelation 19:11-14

Jesus wasn't offering revolution but repentance on Palm Sunday. 

What does your life say Jesus is? When People see Jesus through you, what do they see?

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your heartsthrough faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filledto the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19

The ones loved the most are the ones that are the most tattered (talking about beloved toys, but often applies to people as well). They are irreplaceable.

We are made irreplaceably beautiful by the love of God.

"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love," Ephesians 3:17

1. Rooted and Established

Rooted -- like a great tree. Some wild fig trees have 400 ft deep roots. And the roots are connected to all the other trees (of the same species) near it.

2. Deep and Connected.
Firmly established, foundation of bedrock.

Rooted and loved established -- talking about Agape love -- the love that loves no matter what. God's love or the love we should have. Absolute, sacrificial love.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

It's a decision-made love. I'm choosing to love. The love that comes from the Giver. I'll love you whether you want me to or not.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"1 John 4:10

God's love is a free gift. We aren't worth, but I love you anyway.

​"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love5 he[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Ephesians 1:4-6

God's love for us came before the creation of the world. God did it anyway. He's big enough to pick us up. 

"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:5

Solid foundation. God's love is like the air we breathe.

Take all this from head to heart.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
"37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b]neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39

"may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deepis the love of Christ," Ephesians 3:18

1st of all we have to want God's love. Read the Bible, pray and take action.
2nd, hang out with God's people. God's love seen and shared.

"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God." Romans 3:19

It is way beyond me. We don't need to know why God loves us. What do we do about it? 

Be familiar with Him through the Word of God and prayer.
​Dwell with Him!