Mark: Living the Way of Jesus in the WorldSample

First Thought 

The climb from Jericho is almost complete as Jesus comes to the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem, with the crowd that had accompanied Him. They were pilgrims, on the way to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Jesus dispatched two of His disciples to fetch a colt. The passage is full of allusions to the Old Testament. In Zechariah 9:9, the king who comes to Jerusalem to declare the victory of God and bring liberation and peace to the city rides on the colt of a donkey. Here, the people spread their cloaks and branches across the road before Jesus as they joyfully cheer Him ‘who comes in the name of the Lord’. Not for Jesus a fine warhorse and accompanying army of a conquering king. Though people’s hopes of a new king like David are now raised, they will have scarcely grasped the way of Jesus that lay ahead. This was a very different king, a very different kingdom, a ride to a very different victory through sacrifice and death.

What Does the Bible Say?

What kind of salvation do you think people were looking for? 

Living it Out

In your context, how have you seen that Jesus’ ways aren’t necessarily yours?  

Responding in Prayer

Conquering king, you challenge me by your humble, yet confident ride to victory. Help me see the ways you might want me to overturn expectations in my context with humility and boldness (…). Amen.