THE PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION
Prayer:
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. It openly fulfills prophecies and says to the crowd that Jesus is their Messiah. Jesus proclaims himself a very surprising Messiah. He does not ride a horse and proclaim himself a general who will lead an army. He rides a donkey as a man of peace who will lead Israel 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 and he will send it back at once.
They went and found the colt. As they untied it, the bystanders asked, “What are you doing by untying the colt?” They answered just as Jesus said and they let the colt go with them.
They brought the colt to Jesus. When they placed their garments on the colt, Jesus sat upon it. Many spread their garments and others cut down branches from the trees and placed them in his way. Those that went before and those that followed cried out: “Hosannah! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed be the reign of our father David to come! God save him from on high!”
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those 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 prophecy about the Messiah.
- The donkey symbolizes Jesus 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.)
- O Jesus, teach me to obey your every directive.
- You know every detail of the Father’s plan.
- O Jesus, what were your feelings on this special day of arriving in Jerusalem?
- O Jesus, you sought only to do the Father’s will.
- You are a Messiah of peace. Fill my heart with your peace.
- You are a man of peace, not a man of the sword.
- I, too, say “Blessed are you, Jesus. The Father sent you.
- O Jesus, 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.