Believe In Him and You Can Change

In the distance, the silhouette of the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument stand high above the ocean of people. Red, white and blue lights flash in an orderly motorcade that creeps slowly along the path toward the Capitol building. Along side the road people are waving flags, wearing hats that support the "change they want to believe in" and banners held high that read, "Barack is our rock!" People are draping the whole west side of the Capitol steps like a warm blanket on a cold day. In the air, the sound of voices cheering and a faint song of the marching bands play, "Hail to the Chief." Yes, today marks a monumental day in history. Today the new Commander-in-Chief or President of the United States is sworn into office along with the new Vice President. But not only is he just a new President, but the first "President of Color" to be sworn into the Presidency. I say "color" because not only is he half Caucasian, like our past Presidents, but he is half African-American. The first American President to represent two nationalities.

From what the news reports, today marks the largest number of people ever to be in Washington D.C. at one time. Not only is it the largest number of people physically present, but because of technology, the most number of eyes to watch this ceremony. Television stations and the world wide web have made it possible to broadcast this event all around the world simultaneously. This day marks an important accomplishment in mankind. The world seemed to be in "one place" for a few hours.

As the new President made his speech, he made reference to our diversity. In short, to choose unity over diversity. His eloquent speech gave hope to the hopeless and faith to the faithless. To bring our country to the place where we will accept one another for our differences rather than reject one another.

It it made me think of one man who came to bring hope to the hopeless and faith to the faithless and his name is Jesus. Now I'm not comparing Barack Obama to Jesus, but it seems to me that people are looking to him to save our country. I wonder if the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey along the path from the Mount of Olives, if it was anything like what the new President of the United States was greeted with today. People shouted at Jesus "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" and waved palm branches as he entered to the "capital" of our faith, Jerusalem (Matthew 21:4:11) Hosanna in Hebrew means save.

To some degree, that is what I believe the majority of the people there today would have said "Save Us Obama." In their hearts they believe that this man can save them from economic ruin. Who can say what the next four or eight years will be like. Only God knows. It is God who rules and it is He who chooses the men to lead kingdoms and nations (Daniel 5:21).

One thing I do know, there is a Savior and his name is Jesus. Today for me, was a glimpse of what it might be like when we see when Jesus step foot on the Mount of Olives. Now I know it is going to much more glorious because God is going to be behind the production of His Son's arrival. Philippians 2:9-11 says, "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father." That will be the day that we say "Hail to the King of kings and Lord of lords!" I am so excited for that day!

Tomorrow morning our new President will arrive for his first day on the job. I'm sure he already realizes the new weight that he must carry for a nation of people. To carry out the promises that he has made to "change" our country and make it a better place.

Jesus not only carried a heavy weight for his people, but carried the weight of sin on his shoulders for all men and went as far as death to save us. Thus, if we are created equal, then we all have the opportunity to receive the "change" that Jesus has promised if we believe in him. Jesus said in John 5:24, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." Philippians 3:20&21 says, But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control". Now that is "change" I can "believe" in.