Holy Week
Sunday, March 16, 2008
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12The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,
“Praise God! (Literally: HOSANNA!)
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!”
14Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
15“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”
16His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.
17Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. 18That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone(Literally: THE WHOLE WORLD) has gone after him!” John 12:12-19
NOTE: This week we will trace the last week of Jesus’ life. While some of the days have specific events of which we are all aware—Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Day; we’ll look at a different Scripture each day and reflect on one significant event that took place. As you read, put yourself into the event. Think about who you would be, what you would have been doing. As you do, Holy Week may come alive as never before!
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday so long ago, the crowd went wild! They were thinking that perhaps Jesus WAS the Messiah, the long-promised and long-awaited deliverer of Israel. News spread rapidly of Jesus’ entrance into the holy city, and anticipation was high—Now could be the time of the Lord’s salvation!
Questions and Comments for Reflection and Action:
Where do you think you would have been on that first Palm Sunday if you had lived in Jerusalem? Would you have been part of the crowd? One of Jesus’ disciples? A Pharisee? Why do you see yourself in the role you chose?
How do you think you would have responded to Jesus? Would you have shouted, “Hosanna!”? Would you have gone about your daily work? Would you have rejected Jesus altogether? Why?