Blessed God, bless and protect this dear reader in all they face or do; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today is from Matthew 21: 1 When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples 2 with these instructions: "Go over to the village across from you. You'll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you're doing, say, 'The Master needs them!' He will send them with you." 4 This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet: 5 Tell Zion's daughter, "Look, your king's on his way, poised and ready, mounted On a donkey, on a colt, foal of a pack animal." 6 The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. 7 They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. 8 Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. 9 Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, "Hosanna to David's son!" "Blessed is he who comes in God's name!" "Hosanna in highest heaven!" 10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, "What's going on here? Who is this?" 11 The parade crowd answered, "This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee." (The Message)
The start of the final week of His ministry began with a triumphant parade and fulfillment of prophecy. The scriptures told of a king who would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, a picture of humility and majesty at the same time. And this is the story of King Jesus who on that Sunday we now call Palm Sunday, He rode into Jerusalem to shouts of praise and thanksgiving. Many, if not all of the crowd believed that at long last the king of Israel was finally riding into the fabled city to rule over Israel, signaling the overthrow of the Romans. Many thought a battle would certainly break out and many believed that simply proclaiming a king was victory in and of itself. They did not suspect that here rode into town the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the one who would rule over hearts and spirits for the good of God and God's Kingdom.
These are the final days of that spiritual journey we call Lent. The forty days are counting down and soon it will be Easter, the day of Resurrection. The start of Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and a remembrance of that triumphant entry into Jerusalmen that signals that the people of the city would know Jesus and then wonder at the things that would happen in His life and in theirs. Soon, those shouts of joy and gratitude would change to bitter, angry cries to kill the same king who rode in on a donkey.
The question then is, Who is Jesus in your life? Where does Jesus sit in your heart? Is He indeed the King of your life or have you simply assigned him a label of being special to you? May this be a day of reflection as to Who Jesus is and who you could be as You realize Jesus as Lord.
PRAYER: Loving God, I open the door of my heart to You and Your Son, Jesus. May He rule and reign as my King and Lord. May I seek to be a faithful servant to His leading is my prayer. In Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
