Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
The next day the great crowd had come for the feast heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. 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!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”
– John 12:12-15
Devotion
There were roughly 2-3 million people in Jerusalem for the Passover. In recent weeks, Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. As a result, huge crowds were following Jesus from Bethany as He made His way to Jerusalem for Passover week. As they approached the city, they brought a donkey for Jesus to ride on, at His own request. This was not only a fulfillment of a 500-year old prophecy, it was also a customary way for a visiting king to ride into a city. If a king came in on a warhorse, it was an act of intimidation. But if a king came on a donkey, it was considered an act of peace, a declaration of diplomacy. As Jesus was riding into the city with this giant crowd surrounding Him, those from within the city came out to welcome the incoming crowd. This was also part of the tradition.
The Big Question
Jesus’ first coming was to secure the salvation of mankind. Jesus said, “I have come to seek and save that which was lost.” His entry in Jerusalem in such a manner was not only prophetic, but it signaled a new way in how mankind would relate with God. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. Jesus would go on to say, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). How do you respond to the claims of Christ? Are you a faithful follower who joyously calls out “Hosanna, Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”? Or are you part of the crowd that cries out, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!”?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what God revealed to you today.