We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and teachers of the law.
They will condemn Him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified.
On the third day, He will be raised to life!
Matthew 20:18-19
Yesterday was Palm Sunday. Jesus arrived in Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The fickle crowds cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” They took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet Him. He had last been in Jerusalem when he had. raised Lazarus from the dead. Many had heard of this miracle and thus received Jesus as their King. Others, mostly political leaders, despised Jesus and were threatened by His power and wanted Him dead.
Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Jesus and His disciples spend the night in Bethany.
So much happens in the week known as Holy Week, from the time Jesus arrives in Jerusalem until Good Friday. As we read the accounts of the Gospel, we also know Easter Sunday is coming.
Yet, as we read, the steps unfold detail by detail of what leads up to our Lord Jesus being mocked, flogged, betrayed, and crucified on Good Friday.
We also have in these two Bible Verses listed above the promise that Jesus will indeed be raised to life! Let us hold on to that promise. It will be good for each of us Christians to meditate on and reflect on the story of how the events unfold from Palm Sunday up to and including Good Friday and then Easter.
Jesus went back into Jerusalem on the Monday after Palm Sunday to teach and to challenge the Israelites about His authority. He taught them to live up to being followers of Christ. Jerusalem was abuzz with excitement. There was a foreboding of things to come, and events that would unfold.
Jesus did not fear, but proceeded to do the will of God. He taught, He saw events, occur which he had full knowledge beforehand would happen. Jesus did not waver. He took each step forward in obedience and faith in His Father’s will.
And we must do the same. We do not know what the future holds but we do know we must hold unswervingly to the faith and act in accordance ot God’s will.
That is all for today. Let us reflect on this for a while,let it sink in deep, and then thank Jesus for His obedience so that by God’s grace we can also walk in the calling God gives, us in obedience and faith.
Blessed Monday dear one.