Sunday March 24, 2013
28After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them.33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34They said, “The Lord needs it.”35Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen,38saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
41As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.43Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”
– Luke 19:28-44
Reflect. Being (Palm) Sunday, today is the Lord’s Day, the first day of the week when we gather with God’s people. Ask:
- As I look back over the past week, for what can I thank God?
- Have I asked God’s forgiveness for the things I have done and ought not to have done, and for those things that I ought to have done, but have not done?
- In going to church today, have I prayed for the minister(s) and for people at church?
- Have I prayed for others and invited one or more to come with me?
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