April 17 Lenten Devotion

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Palm Sunday, April 17 Mark 11:1-11 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord And when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat; untie it and bring it. If any one says to you, "Why are you doing this?" say, "The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately."  And they went away, and found a colt tied at the door out in the open street; and they untied it.  And those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?"  And they told them what Jesus had said' and they let them go.  And they brought the colt to Jesus, and threw their garments on it; and he sat upon it.  And many spread their garments on the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields.  And those who went before and those who followed cried out, "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming!  Hosanna in the Highest!"  And he entered Jerusalem, and went into the temple; and when he had looked round at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. As we read about Jesus, entering Jerusalem in the Bible, we sense the excitement of this special day.  Men, women and children, spreading their garments and tree branches before him, shouting "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! "Blessed is the kingdom of our Father David that is come. Hosanna in the highest!"  What joy and happiness fills their hearts and souls as Jesus rides into the city of Jerusalem . Do you feel this joy when you read this scripture passage?  They were unaware of what would take place in the days following this event.  We however, are reading this passage on the Easter side of the story.  We know what took place during the coming days that first Holy Week.  Today is Palm Sunday,  let us celebrate it as the men, women, and children did in the scripture passage and say "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Prayer: Our Lord and Redeemer, may we like the men, women, and children, who shouted praises to you on your entry into Jerusalem, join our voices of praise and thanksgiving for all you have done for us.  Be with us as we enter Holy Week may we be ever mindful of your sacrifice for us. Eleanor Godocik

First Presbyterian Church | 883 Highway 34 | Matawan | NJ | 07747