March 27, 2015: John 12:12-16

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.

 

John 12:12-16

12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. ¹³So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!’ ¹⁴Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: ¹⁵ ‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!’ ¹⁶His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him.

Reflection:

Palm Sunday is a powerful service that begins the start of Holy week.  How many memories of being a child holding the palm branch to being a pastor processing in with the children.  The joy. The excitement. The beauty. Do we ever stop to ponder what this triumphiant entry in Jersualem really means though?  From Adam Hamilton’s The Way, this line stood out to me; “This was the first nonviolent protest.”  We are approaching the crucifixtion of Jesus. At this time, Jesus was not welcomed in Jerusalem (by the preists and higher officials).   This is why Hamilton calls it a non-violent protest.  Then, Jesus has to go a step further to fulfill the scriptures and show how he is humble.  He rides in a donkey, an animal of service, demonstrating his humbleness to be submissive and follow God’s plan. Then, here is this crowd, who want to celebrate Jesus coming to Jersualem.

Reflection Questions:

Morning: When have you been submissive in following God?

Noon: How are you proclaiming the joy of God?

Evening: Where is God leading you?

Prayer:  Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hossana. We want to be led by You, follow You, and mostly be singing Your praises. Help us Lord to be more like You.  Help us to celebrate all that You do in our lives. Amen.