TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Mark 11:9-10
Read: Mark 11:1-11
Listen: Mark 11
TODAY’S MESSAGE
We start on Sunday, and Jesus will hang on a cross by Friday. A crowd gathers around Jesus in Jericho after he heals a blind man and follows him to Jerusalem. He instructs his disciples to find a colt and say the Lord needs it. Jesus enters Jerusalem riding this colt, reminiscent of a king’s triumphal entry, as crowds stream into the city for the Passover festival. The group following Jesus cries that he’s blessed and proclaims the coming kingdom of David. The people seek a king to push out Rome, just as their great King David evicted the Philistines. They hope for rescue and deliverance. It will come—but not in the ways the people expect.
What’s most significant about Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem is what doesn’t happen. In their culture, a large delegation from the city would welcome a person of significance. While Jesus’s fans follow him into the city, no one comes out from Jerusalem to greet him. He’s not welcomed. He’s ignored and thereby rejected. His arrival is essentially a non-event.
If we ignore Jesus, we reject him as well. Following Jesus means we welcome him into our marriages, workplaces, finances and friendships. We welcome him to shape our plans, agendas and beliefs. We invite him to challenge, correct and forgive to change us. Following Jesus requires we welcome him into every detail of our lives. Watch this video clip as Pastor Jeff Manion shares the importance of welcoming Jesus into our lives.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Spend time thinking through areas where you ignored Jesus and chose to go your own way. Then confess and offer that area to him. “Jesus, I confess that I have ignored you in __________________________. I welcome you into this part of my life and ask you would change me and shape me to become more like you in this. Amen.”
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse!
GALATIANS 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
