Slices
Prepare
Today is Palm Sunday. As you read today’s passage, try to picture the scene – the sights, sounds and smells. Engage your emotions as well as your brain.
Bible passage
Jesus comes to Jerusalem as king
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
‘Hosanna!’
‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’
‘Blessed is the king of Israel!’
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written:
15 ‘Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.’
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realise that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
Explore
Why did Jesus enter Jerusalem on a donkey (v 15)? Surely such a beast is too humble for a king? Nowadays we hold donkeys in low esteem, but in the ancient Middle East they were a common mode of transport for those who could afford them. In 1 Kings 1:32– 45 we read of David, at the end of his life, commissioning Zadok and Nathan to proclaim Solomon as the new king. David tells them to place Solomon on David’s own mule for the journey to the place of anointing.
Horses were used back then more commonly in war, whereas donkeys were associated with peace. Verse 15 of today’s reading is a quotation from Zechariah 9:9,10. The first of these verses contains the prophecy about Israel’s king riding on a donkey, but the second explains that one of the things this king will do is to remove the war horses from Jerusalem.
When Jesus rode into the city on this donkey, he was acting as a king who came in peace. And we can be assured that there will be a day when he will come in peace again. His enemies will be defeated, and he will rule for ever.
Respond
Pray: ‘Lord Jesus, you are the true king, who comes to rule in peace. We praise you and worship you. We long for the day when you return in glory and majesty. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.’
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Deuteronomy 19,20; Romans 4
Pray for Scripture Union
SU Northern Ireland has an increased focus on special needs. Pray for Anita Conkey, Special Needs Coordinator, as she works alongside mission teams, supports training in various contexts, develops and delivers resources and discerns their role in the increasing number of Learning Support Units in schools.
