Readings

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Luke 19:28-40

Devotion

Peace be with you!

Today there is a large commotion in Jerusalem. A man named Jesus is riding on a colt though the Mount of Olives in the mountains. As Jesus goes by on the colt, people are throwing their cloaks down on the road and shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven” (Luke 19:38 NRSV). The people are excited to be welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem.

However, the Pharisees are beside themselves. The people are shouting “Blessed is the king!” and that makes the Pharisees anxious. The religious leaders may have been nervous because of fear from a backlash from Rome. Jesus did claim to be God, particularly in the book of John, as the one who will save us from our sins through forgiveness and grace. No one should be called “king who comes in the name of the Lord.” That is blasphemy. How dare these people claim this man Jesus comes in the name of the Lord!

The Pharisees approach Jesus and demand his disciples to stop the commotion (Luke 19:39:). The people are disturbing the peace with all of their shouting, “Blessed is the king.” The Pharisees must be thinking: “Do his disciples and his followers not know the seriousness of their statement? What are they thinking calling Jesus the king? This man Jesus does not come in the name of the Lord. How dare these people make such a bold blasphemy? What will the Roman government think of this out cry of foolishness?” The Pharisees have religious and political concerns, which cause them to take action.

Jesus answers the Pharisees, “No, and if I did, the stones would shout” (Luke 19:40 NRSV). Somehow, God the Father would find a way for Jesus, the one he has sent, to be worshipped and glorified. It is impossible for Jesus to not be glorified on this day. Jesus is to be glorified, because he is the Son of Man and the Son of God, was sent by the Lord to redeem all the people in the world.

Thanks be to God!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for letting us glorify your son, Jesus, as he enters Jerusalem. Help us to recall the excitement of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem as we follow him to the cross. Thank you for sending Jesus to the cross so that we might be saved. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. How do you celebrate Palm Sunday?

2. Describe the excitement you feel when you worship Jesus.