Prayer: O Jesus, I place my garments at your feet.
Imagination: (Picture Jesus riding upon a donkey with the great crowd.
Context:
This special procession is Messianic, openly fulfilling prophecies so the crowd knows that Jesus is their Messiah. However, Jesus does not ride a horse and proclaim himself a general who will lead an army. He rides a donkey. He is a Messiah of peace who will lead to peace (if they follow).
Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
Jesus said to two of his disciples, “Go into the village. You will find a colt, which is tied and upon which no man has ever sat. Untie him and bring him. If anyone asks, “What are you doing?” just say that the Lord has need of it.
They went and found the colt. As they untied it, the owners asked, “Why are you doing that?” They explained that the Master needed it. They brought the animal to Jesus and laying their cloaks on it, they helped him to mount. Many spread their cloaks on the road as he moved along.
On his approach to the descent from Mount Olivet, the entire crowd of his disciples began to joyously praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying “Hosannah! Blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed be the reign of our father David to come! God save him from on high! Peace in heaven and glory on high.” Some of the Pharisees said to him, “Master, rebuke your disciples.” He said, “I say to you that if they are silent, the stones will cry out.”
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you)
- The disciples are successful in their task because they obey Jesus’ directions.
- The owner cooperates. How blessed he is. He sacrifices the donkey because “The Lord has need.”
- Jesus knows exactly what to do. He must ride a donkey into Jerusalem to fulfill the prophecies about the Messiah.
- The donkey symbolizes Jesus as a Messiah of peace, not of war.
- The crowds respond immediately to Jesus’ Messianic entry.
- They proclaim the event clearly. Jesus is coming “In the name of the Lord.”
- He will fulfill their centuries-long hopes for the blessings of David.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- Jesus, teach me to obey your every directive.
- You know every detail of the Father’s plan.
- Jesus, what were your feelings on this special day of arriving in Jerusalem?
- O Jesus, you sought only to do the Father’s will.
- Jesus, You are a Messiah of peace. Fill my heart with your peace.
- I, too, say “Blessed are you, Jesus. The Father sent you.
- You fulfill all my hopes.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
- I will consider how blessed I am because Jesus became a man.
- I will try to appreciate the burden that Jesus assumed.
Thought for the day: (To recall your meditation)
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.