Devotion - Monday, February 18

Another of the "stories you ought to know," is Jesus' entry to Jerusalem.  This morning I was reading this story from Mark 11.

In Mark, Jesus sends his disciples into town to get a "colt, on which no one has ever sat."  This is a clue to the significance of what comes next.

As Jesus rides the colt into town, his followers place their coats on the ground, in front of the colt.  Those who have no coats, cut palm branches from the trees.

When a new ruler enters the city for coronation, there would be built a new road, on which no one had walked.  Jesus' followers create such a road, for him.

The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is presented as an invitation prepare the way for entry into our lives and into our world.  How are we welcoming and honoring the one whom is our king and lord?

One of the downsides to the often repeated (and totally true) affirmation that Jesus never abandons us is the opportunity this creates for us to ignore preparations to welcome him into our midst.  We too often fail to make ready and to honor.  

The story in Mark 11 is one we should know, and understand, and apply to our lives.