MOIRAJO
  • Weekly Devotionals
  • Weekly Message
  • Sermon Podcasts
  • Links
  • Contact

Lent: More Than a Prophet

3/29/2023

0 Comments

 

Wednesday’s Word
By Dorette Saunders


 
 
Everyone loves a parade.
 
In the final week of his life, Jesus makes his way into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. He has been telling his disciples repeatedly that he will be arrested and killed. It saddens them each time he speaks of his impending death, and their fear looms large.
 
But today is different. Jesus rides into the city on a donkey to the cheers of an ecstatic crowd. Walking before and behind him, this motley crowd forms a retinue of sorts.  They cut down palm branches and wave them joyfully. They throw their clothes in the path, so he can ride on it. No doubt, Jesus’ disciples are also caught up in this time of adulation.
 
The people are shouting:
 
 
“Hooray for the Son of David!
God bless the one who comes
    in the name of the Lord.
Hooray for God

    in heaven above!” (Matthew 21:9, CEV)

 
When they get to Jerusalem the people there share in the excitement and ask:
“Who can this be?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” (Matthew 21:10,11).
As we approach Holy Week, signifying the death and resurrection of Jesus; as we recall Jesus’ journey to Calvary, the question comes to us even now.
“Who can this be?”
Do we, like the crowd, respond: “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee”?
Or do we acknowledge Jesus as Messiah, the Promised Son of God?  Do we see Jesus as Savior, Redeemer, Lord?
Do we rattle off the names and titles given to Jesus, yet have not been personally acquainted with him?
As this scene unfolds, we learn that Jesus is more than a prophet. In fact, in the Old Testament Zechariah prophesies this event would take place, and he testifies to Jesus’ deity (See Zechariah 9:9):
“Announce to the people
    of Jerusalem:
‘Your king is coming to you!
He is humble

    and rides on a donkey.
He comes on the colt

    of a donkey.’ ” (Matthew 21:4, CEV)

 
 
“Who can this be?”
This is Jesus!  It is he who would humbly wash the feet of his disciples, even the one who would later betray him.
 
This is Jesus who would forgive the disciple who disowned him.
 
This is Jesus who, in loving obedience to God, would lay down his life for his friends (and his enemies)…for all of us.
 
This is Jesus who offers us eternal life through his death and resurrection.
 
This is Jesus, the Holy One, the Messiah, the Son of God, our soon-coming King!
 
 
PRAYER: Lord God, our hearts burst with gratitude when we think of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. As we look toward the cross, despite the shame and suffering, we see mercy and grace, love and forgiveness. We are not deserving of so great a love, but you loved us beyond words and we are grateful. Help us to tell others of your great love and of Christ’s great sacrifice. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
                                                                                     ©M©dytations 2023




0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Moirajo is a minister, social worker, wife, mother, writer and animal lover. That's just for starters. Join the story, there's so much we can share together! 

    Archives

    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All

    Bible,  Living life on life's terms, spirituality

    RSS Feed

© Moira Ahearne 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.