Journey to the Cross

Pause

Be still

and feel the song

that God sings in your heart,

a song of praise to our God.

Listen

They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes upon it, and he sat on it. Many people spread out their clothes on the road while others spread branches cut from the fields. Those in front of him and those following were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. After he looked around at everything, because it was already late in the evening, he returned to Bethany with the Twelve.

Mark 11:7-11

Think

It takes guts to stage a demonstration.

Jesus didn’t need the donkey for transportation into Jerusalem. He’d walked there many times before, and everyone with him was walking. What he needed the donkey for was to make a loud, public statement about his identity. Jesus was riding the donkey to say “I am your king.” He was play-acting the prophesy from scripture, which said, “Your king will come to you… riding on a donkey’s colt.”

People came out in crowds to celebrate him! They recklessly threw their coats on the road to make a carpet. They yelled, “Hosanna!,” which means “God saves!”

It’s hard to read this joyful passage without remembering that, within a week, public opinion would turn against Jesus. The crowds would retreat into fear and be scared of Roman oppression. They would forget that God’s love is the most powerful force in the universe. They would forget that God saves. They would be yelling “Crucify him!”

Jane Hartwell

Pray

Jesus, give me eyes to see you acting in the world. And when I see you, give me the courage and excitement to celebrate! Amen.

Go

Go out and sing the song that God has put in your heart.