April 5, 1998

Mark 11: 1-10

The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

And those who went before, and those who followed after, were crying out,

"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord"
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
- Mark 11: 9-10.

What a wonderful day! Jesus was surrounded by believers and supporters. They spread their garments in the road for Him; they spread leafy branches, which they had brought in from the fields. They cheered Him. He was the Messiah. He must have been on top of the world. Wouldn't it be great to have been there!

How is it, then, that a short time later all those supporters disappeared? Some went into hiding. Many turned against Him. Some ridiculed Him. They wanted Him crucified! It all seems so unbelievable to us.

This happened to fulfill all the words of the Scripture. Mark 14:49.

I sometimes ask myself what would I have done in this situation? What would you have done? Surely we would not have "turned" our backs on our Messiah. Or would we? Are we so different from our biblical ancestors? Do we sometimes turn our backs on "others;" the poor, the isolated, those who are different from us, those who have hurt us, those who don't go to church? Christ is in them, too. He died for them, too. Let us show them our love as Christ loved us, even after we turned on Him.

---

Prayer: Dear God, Help us to see Your Son in everyone we meet. Help us to not turn our backs on those in need of our love and support, and to follow Your path. We ask this in the Name of Jesus the Savior who died for us, so that we might have eternal life with You. Amen. [Yesterday |Lenten Index | Tomorrow]