Mark 11:1-11 | As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
DAILY PRAYER REQUEST: Lord, may we know you more clearly, love you more deeply and follow you more closely.
PALM SUNDAY
Daily Thought: Taking A Stand (Mark 11:1–11)
There will come moments for us as Christ-followers that we will need to take a stand. This is what Jesus did that first Palm Sunday. He makes a decision to enter Jerusalem. He offers his witness to God’s Kingdom in the Holy City. He enters the city in such a way that no one can ignore him. He takes on the messianic role, the role foretold by the ancient prophet Zechariah in the Old Testament. He comes humbly and vulnerably, riding on a donkey. This is how Jesus takes his stand. He does this because he knows that he is not alone. Lent is a good time for us, as his disciples, to identify where we need to take a stand. We too can know that we are not alone as we do this.
DAILY PRACTICE:
Begin with the daily prayer request. Read the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem in Mark 11:1–11. What strikes you most about the way Jesus takes his stand? How do you respond to him? Consider today where God is calling you to take your stand for your deepest convictions. Perhaps you can practice for this moment by doing something courageous today. Know that you are not alone, so lean into the reality of God’s presence with you. Courage and faith are always needed if we are going to follow in our Master’s footsteps.