Luke 19:35-40
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Remember that two of Jesus’ disciples have just secured a donkey’s colt for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem. Then starting with the last verse from yesterday’s meditation, read Luke 19:35-40 noting anything that stands out as you read.
In the first century, when a conquering king entered a city over which he was taking power, he would ride in on a stallion accompanied by his army to the cheers and accolades of his subjects. This display of pomp and power would be a sign to everyone that a new ruler was now in charge.
Jesus, the King of all Kings, rides into the City of David (Jerusalem) on a donkey’s colt accompanied by his band of rather ordinary disciples. As he nears the city, cheers erupt from a crowd of people who are either witnesses or recipients of the healing miracles of Jesus. These are not noble people or people of great position; these are the common people of Israel who believe that Jesus has come to set them free from Roman oppression as well as from the oppression of their own leaders.
Stop to picture the astonishing entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Consider what you know about the upside-down Kingdom of God and see if Jesus wants you to notice anything in particular about this scene. Talk with him about anything you are thinking or feeling.
Read Luke 19:35-40 again with this in mind.
One of the first actions of a conquering king was to go to the temple in the city and offer sacrifices to the gods. This would signify that the king had been given divine authority to rule.
Jesus enters Jerusalem in humility knowing that he is about to offer himself as a sacrifice on behalf of all humanity. He offers himself as God - the only one with the authority to take on the sin of the world.
Contemplate this earth-shaking truth: God became human in Jesus and then offered himself up to pay the consequences of human rebellion against God’s good and perfect ways.
For the final moments of this time of reflection, sit with this truth and let it resonate in your mind and heart. As you meditate on this, listen to see if Jesus has anything he wants you to hear.
What is Jesus saying to you today?
What will you do in response?
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