Abiding in Easterਨਮੂਨਾ

ABIDING IN EASTER - LENT DEVOTIONAL by BRYAN CRAIG

DAY 32

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!”

John 12:12-15 ESV

We have been meditating for the past 4-1/2 weeks on Jesus during this Lenten journey. We’ve read Old Testament prophecies which point to Him, and we’ve also looked at stories of Jesus’ ministry through the Gospels, and we’ve read verses which reflected on His significance throughout the New Testament. For the next two weeks, we will join Jesus on the last days of His sojourn on Earth as a man. We enter into the drama and passion of His mission, a death mission.

When He rode into Jerusalem, he borrowed a donkey and fulfilled Zechariah 9:9, “… Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey…” Once again, Jesus was no ordinary king. He was born in a barn and in his final triumphant entry into the city of His destiny, to be received by His people, he comes, not in a mighty chariot or a strong, tall stallion, but on a humble donkey, borrowed at that. The people worshipped him as they waved their palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna”, which means “Savior”. They recognized His Lordship, His Kingship, His Holy significance. Yet, in a few days, some of these same people will be shouting, “Crucify him!”

APPLICATION:

Do you know Jesus as your Savior and king? Does His humility draw your respect and admiration, or do you want a different kind of king? Talk to God about your thoughts on this.