Hosanna! Praise be to He who comes in the name of the Lord! Today we celebrate and remember that triumphal entry, humbly on the colt of a donkey! No one had a clue that this day would be the beginning of the end that would come on that cruel cross.
Wed evening dinner huddle will pick up where we end today and celebrate the last supper with communion. (all are welcome! We will explore that last evening before the end.
Then next Sunday we will celebrate the end of the beginning and the Resurrection with communion as we remember the day the stone was rolled away and the new covenant was ushered in. It was the new beginning from what appeared to be the end.
All are welcome Wed and Sunday! Who are you bringing along? Who need to meet our Lord and Savior. Pray into that and ask for boldness and courage to invite. God has someone for you!
Today we will remember how Jesus said that if we are quiet, even the rocks would cry out. Let's not be quiet but shout hosanna and invite God to come inhabit our praise! He alone is worthy! Amen!
Good Morning Worshippers of the King Whose Time Has Come! Yes! Hosanna! Praise be he Lord who comes humbly and who will triumph! Hosanna!
See you all soon! Check out the devos below as you prepare your hearts to worship! Hosanna!
ODB:
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After our family held a riverside memorial service for my father, we each selected a stone to help us remember him. His life had been a checkerboard of wins and losses, but we knew his heart had been for us. My fingers traced my stone’s smooth surface and helped me remember to hold him close.
In Luke 19, Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem while the crowds waved palm branches, shouted Hosannas, and cheered, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (v. 38; see John 12:12-13). In the Pharisees’ disdain of what they perceived to be a blasphemous claim of messiahship, they ordered Jesus to tell the disciples to be quiet. Jesus replied, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40).
The stones do cry out—in many ways. God has used stones throughout the story of His love for us. Two rough-hewn stones carried ten chiseled commandments to tell us how to live (Exodus 34:1). Stones of remembrance piled by the Jordan River and in the middle of the river reminded generations of Israelites of God’s provision and faithfulness (Joshua 4:8-9 nlt). The one rolled into place to contain Jesus’ body is the same one that rolled away to show He had risen (Matthew 27:59-66; Luke 24:2). We “hear” this stone as it reminds us of Jesus’ words: “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
Listen to the stones and lift your own voice along with them in praise to our loving Father.
By Elisa Morgan
REFLECT & PRAY
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How have the stones of God’s work in our world “cried out” to you? What message might God intend for you to take to heart?
Dear Father, thank You for using even stones to speak of Your love.
For further study, read Give Me a Sign
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Some scholars believe that Jesus’ statement in Luke 19:40 that “if [the crowds] keep quiet, the stones will cry out” is a reference to Habakkuk 2:11: “The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it.” Others suppose that the stones in view are the stones of the very gates themselves, as seen in Psalm 118:19-20: “Open for me the gates of the righteous . . . the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.” Whether Luke 19:40 echoes an Old Testament text or not, it’s an example of poetic imagery where inanimate objects praise God (see also Psalm 114:6; Psalm 148; Isaiah 55:12). Jesus had often refused praise during His earthly ministry. Now He not only accepted it but encouraged it. When humans fail to praise the Creator, the creation itself will praise God.
Bill Crowder |
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UR: Palm Sunday
If you utter what is precious and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. - Jeremiah 15:19 (NRSVUE)
I try to serve God in as many ways as possible — in my church, in my neighborhood, and through my work. I teach English at a Christian secondary school, and I lead a weekly devotional time for the 13- and 14-year-old students. We read a few verses from the Bible and then discuss them. I ask open-ended questions, and I try to draw the students closer to the Bible story by connecting ordinary examples from our lives to the verses we have read.
I do my best to share my faith and God’s love with the students. I talk about my faith experiences, but sometimes I feel that the message is too personal. I want to speak about God’s love, not about my feelings and problems. Before I lead each devotional time, I pray, “Lord, what do you want me to talk about? What is your message to these students today?” I want to humbly share God’s message and bless these 70 young people through my words.
As I lead the devotional time, I always feel that the Holy Spirit is with us. I see how carefully the students listen. I pray that God’s message reaches and touches their hearts. I am not afraid to talk anymore because the Lord leads my heart, mind, and lips. I am happy and honored to be God’s messenger to the children of our school.
Today's Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us. Give us strength and courage to work and speak in your name. Amen.
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