BEFORE THE CROWD WAVED PALMS, JESUS WALKED IN GOODNESS.
This past Easter, I read The Genius of Jesus by Erwin McManus — and it wrecked me in the best way. So much so that our entire Easter series unpacked its chapters and themes. It’s a captivating thought: the subtle genius of Jesus — how He redefined greatness through goodness, even when people misunderstood Him at every turn.
On Palm Sunday, I preached about His triumphal entry into Jerusalem — that iconic Palm Sunday moment (John 12:12–19). We unpacked how Jesus didn’t ride in on a warhorse demanding applause; He entered humbly, fueled by compassion and fierce goodness, even as He knew a cross waited at the end of the road.
Goodness, real goodness, isn’t about moral boxes checked off or doing what looks holy to others. It’s about doing what is needed, not just what is expected. It’s about seeing the mission field right in front of us instead of chasing after bigger stages. And it’s about letting compassion be the catalyst for every good thing we do.
Maybe you’ve been trying to be “good enough” for people — or for God. Let me remind you: Goodness isn’t something you earn; it’s a fruit that grows when you stay rooted in Him (Galatians 5:22–23). Start small. Start here. And trust the Genius of Good to make something beautiful out of your surrendered yes.
Onward,
Chari