Prayer for the Week: O Holy God, a week often described with the word Holy is upon us. We find the shadows of darkness quickly encroaching upon us, and we feel the cold winds of betrayal and denial. When so many others scatter between the excitement of the parade and the agony of a man judged and beaten for his commitment to love, keep me focused and moving
Scripture: Mark 11:11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. After he looked around at everything, because it was already late in the evening, he returned to Bethany with the Twelve. Thought for the Day: Nothing happens! A lot of people have noted how this verse seems almost useless, especially within Mark’s Gospel that has zero fluff. Mark is the most basic and concise of the Gospels,
Scripture: Mark 11:9-10 Those in front of him and those following were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest!” Thought for the Day: Hosanna is a word that continues to reinforce what was discussed in yesterday’s devotional The word comes from the Hebrew (hosia na) which was found
Scripture: Mark 11:8 Many people spread out their clothes on the road while others spread branches cut from the fields. Thought for the Day: About this time two years ago, someone asked me about the Palms used on Psalm Sunday. My initial answer was a bit flippant as I thought the answer was simple — it was Palm Sunday and so we use Palms. My answer was not
Scripture: Mark 11:7 They [the two disciples] brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes upon it, and he sat on it. Thought for the Day: Every Palm Sunday, I have read about the disciples putting their clothes on the animal Jesus was to ride. To be honest, I never really thought much of it, yet as I reflect on my devotional from a couple of days
Scripture: Mark 11:4-6 They went and found a colt tied to a gate outside on the street, and they untied it. Some people standing around said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them just what Jesus said, and they left them alone. Thought for the Day: Have you ever had things work out better than you ever imagined them working out? Maybe I’m
Scripture: Mark 11:1-3 When Jesus and his followers approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus gave two disciples a task, saying to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are
Prayer for the Week: In a world where gratitude is more etiquette than awestruck admiration, I pause with the intent of naming those gifts worthy of my praise and gratefulness. O Giver of Good Gifts, let an awareness of you and your goodness grow within me. Assist me as I move beyond what we might call the traditional senses, so that a heightened spiritual sense may emerge. There
Scripture: John 4:4 Jesus had to go through Samaria. Thought for the Day: There are times when only a few words communicate much more than one might expect. Though there were ways around Samaria, and so technically Jesus did not need to go through Samaria, there was some other force that made it necessary (“had to go”). It is a theological and storyline necessity. In John’s Gospel, we have
Scripture: Malachi 3:6 I am the LORD, and I do not change; and you, children of Jacob, have not perished. Thought for the Day: The prophet, speaking on behalf of God, declares God’s unchanging nature. This comes amidst some harsh critique and calling out the specific sins of the nation. It is down right personal and uncomfortable, but the language of “I do not change” should ring strongly.