Presence of God
A quick look through the book of Psalms will reveal a theme that repeats itself again and again - the steadfast love of God.
When we look at Jesus we see the reflection of what God is like. In his life, in facing death, and in death itself, Jesus remained faithful in his love towards those he came to save.
As we journey through Holy Week, you will see the steadfast love of God again and again, fully revealed in the face of Jesus.
Word of God
When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They said, "The Lord needs it." Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."
Luke 19:29-40
Devotion
Today is Palm Sunday. We call it that because this is the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people got so excited they started stripping branches off palm trees, waving them in the air, and shouting “Hosanna!”
Why did they get so excited? Because of an old prophecy from the book of Zechariah that promised them one day their king would come to them, “Humble, and riding on a donkey” (9:9). Why did Jesus do it? I believe he was giving the people of Jerusalem a chance to receive him as their king. Some of them did. Others, as we will soon learn, did not.
What about you? Will you receive Jesus as your king today? Will you let him rule over your life? Or will you, like those others, reject him?
Jim Somerville
It’s a pretty stark and uncomfortable question the way Jim puts it. It is VERY either/or. Let Jesus rule over your life... OR... REJECT HIM? Isn't there just a little wiggle room for letting him rule most of the time? Like 98% of the time? Just not quite ALL of the time?
And why is it that we want to reserve those few times now and then to be able to rule on our own? To choose what WE want? To NOT be ruled by another, even Jesus our loving, humble savior king who has given his very self for us?
That’s the human conundrum we live with and fight against every single day simply because we are human ... broken ... flawed ... independence-cravers ....
I hope (and pray!) that you did indeed welcome Jesus as your king and invite him once more to rule over your life as much as you are able to let him. And that you pray daily that you can let him rule over you again just for today.
Norma Prina Murphy
Conversation with God
King Jesus, ride into my life today. Enter the throne room of my heart. Reign there forever. Amen.
Benediction
O that you and I might be,
Like Jesus,
Faithful and true.
God grant us grace
That we might become,
Like Christ,
Steadfast in our love too.
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| How apt is the 'foreshadowing' of events this royal procession will ignite? |
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