Category: Daily Prayer

Out scripture this week is Matthew 21:1-11.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:1-11

Triumph! That’s what many people were thinking as Jesus rode in to Jerusalem that day. Tragedy! That was the thought of others who didn’t share the excitement, who feared the change Jesus brought. No matter who they were, they expected something from Jesus’ arrival.

How about us? What do we expect from Jesus? We too often don’t expect anything, preferring to just muddle along in our own way. Jesus wants us to react! His coming demands a response from us, the believer’s “Hosanna!” or the doubter’s question.

Jesus doesn’t mind if you have questions, people asked Him things all the time. Jesus knows that if you have questions He can engage with you, perhaps not always giving the answer you expect, but being in connection and discussion. Reach out to Him in everything, joy and success; fear and loss. “Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer”.

Gracious God, thank You for the gift of salvation through Christ our Lord. Bless us to be His disciples, sharing the joy of His coming with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 21:1-11.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:10-11

Jesus was apparently well known and the crowds were able to identify Him to others. His ministry around the region had attracted the attention of those looking for a new way of living and those who were troubled by His teachings. Jesus called people to a connection with God that had always been there for them, but they had never fully seen it.

Some were ready and willing, feeling the energy He brought to their faith, the courage of knowing God was with them through every trial. Others felt their positions and power threatened, fearful that this new prophet could indeed change the world. Regardless of their own feelings, no one was left untouched by His coming for us.

Are you feeling the power of the Lord reaching out you? On which side do you find yourself – expecting a change or fearful it will occur? Our lives are always affected by what goes on around us, but with His help we can live in faith, knowing our present situation is not the end. God said “Be not afraid, I go before you always” (Deuteronomy 31:8) and we can always trust His promise.

Loving Lord, we are often afraid and confused by the situations we face. Help us to trust in You, following the path that is planned for us through Your grace and mercy. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 21:1-11.

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:9

The shouts of the people tell us some very specific things about their hopes and beliefs in Jesus. Some cry “Hosanna to the Son of David”, a royal connection to the great king of history, indicating their desire for release from Roman oppression. Many wanted Jesus to be a warrior king who would lead them to political freedom.

Others call “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” and “Hosanna in the highest heaven”, showing their belief in Jesus as the Son of God, sent to save us from a far greater evil than a conquering earthly army. Our faith is the most important thing in this. Jesus often asked “Do you believe in me and in Him who sent me”, wanting people to understand that His kingdom was not of this world.

The cry “Hosanna” means “save us” and that is what we must still want most from Jesus. Salvation, freedom from our sins, and an eternal relationship with Him are the promises He offers us when we turn from earthly things and put our whole faith in Him.

Gracious God, our trust is in You to save us from the real oppressor of the world, who would lead us away into sin. We want to follow You in love, sharing our blessing with everyone that sin may defeated forever. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 21:1-11.

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
Matthew 21:6-8

Jesus and His disciples came back to Jerusalem uncertainly – remember that the people there had threatened them and forced them out earlier. Now they are welcomed with shouts and a festive parade. It should be no surprise that people’s opinion can change rapidly and drastically.

Our own feelings are swayed by events and what we hear about them. What gladdens us one day may change to frustration soon after – and vice versa. Our thoughts and actions are influenced by the “buzz” of communication around us.

Jesus wants us to hear God’s message above all else and be constant in our love for Him and each other, regardless of what the world says to us. He teaches us to listen, learn and then “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). We are called to be steadfast in our faith, aware of the world’s needs but not led astray by it.

Loving Lord, we are humbled and grateful that You come to save us. Help us to be strong and brave in spite of the words of the world, going in Your name to share Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 21:1-11.

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
Matthew 21:4-5

The prophet Zechariah had written nearly 500 years earlier about the King coming to Jerusalem in an unexpected way (Zech. 9:9). People were aware of the prophecy, but it seems they let their own desires for freedom from political oppression override their faith. It is hard to separate ourselves from what goes on in our lives, but Jesus teaches us that we must remain faithful in spite of the challenges we face.

God wants us to be in relationship with Him no matter what situation we encounter. We can’t cry “Lord save us from this evil!” if we have failed to be a faithful people before. This is not to say that God sends disaster as punishment, but if we only turn to Him in catastrophe, we are not living by His commandments. We must renew and then keep our connection to Him strong always.

The Good News promises that it is never too late to turn to Him, but as He is constant and faithful to us, we must be constant and faithful to Him. Only when we admit we have followed our own ways and not the Lord’s can we change. We must humble ourselves for our wrongdoing, accepting His forgiveness and forgiving each other.

Gracious God, we are proud and stubborn creatures, often believing we can solve our problems without You. Show us the way to a new connection with You, teaching us to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
Matthew 21:1-3

Jesus enters Jerusalem for the Passover in an unusual way. He comes not as a conquering king on a warhorse but as a humble teacher on a donkey. There is a story (without scriptural or historical backing) that Pontius Pilate was arriving at the other gate in Jerusalem at the same time. While it may not have happened this way, Jesus and Pilate were both certainly in Jerusalem at that time.

Jesus’ arrival is recorded as a joyous parade – people came to welcome the prophet from Galilee rather than line the streets for the Roman governor’s entrance. This indicates a choice between the two, one that many in that crowd would unfortunately reverse later that week when the mob cried “Crucify Him!” It shows how quickly our feelings change when we don’t get what we want.

All along the people have sought a powerful Messiah who would restore them to a place of honor and power. Instead, Jesus offers them the promise of salvation through love and service – definitely not what they expected. We need to understand that God’s plan of connection to Him and each other through Jesus is far better than anything we could imagine for ourselves.

Gracious God, we have dreams and expectations for ourselves and our world. Help us to see that Your eternal plan is the only way we can ever be truly happy and fulfilled. Amen.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:1-11

This isn’t the celebration we expected. If you asked me after Christmas what was planned for Palm Sunday I would have told you a children’s procession waiving palm branches, confirming our new group of members and a dinner following the service. All that seems very far away now as we stay in our homes and things are closed to prevent the spread of disease. I certainly didn’t intend to preach to an empty sanctuary for Palm Sunday and Easter!

Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem wasn’t what people expected either. Yes, they welcomed Him with glad shouts and pageantry, but the thought “where is the crown and sword and the armies that Messiah will lead to free us?” was in the back of their minds. Often our desires for a particular situation or solution is not what God has planned for us.

We need to accept God’s way and the leadership of love and peace Jesus brings us all. We must let go of our grasping for control of worldly things and focus on the eternal gift Jesus offers. Only then will be able to truly celebrate as the children of the King.

Loving Lord, we are guilty of wanting things our own way. Help us to see that the path You call us to follow is the only way to be saved. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 11:1-45.

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Then Thomas (also known as Didymus ) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.
John 11:1-45

This familiar story shows us the power and compassion of Jesus. It is easy to see both of these, but we must understand the meaning as Jesus intends. This passage teaches us about His faith and His connection to God.

First, we must understand that Jesus didn’t raise Lazarus as a personal favor to His friends, even though He loved them all dearly. Jesus tells us plainly that His actions are for “the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me” (verse 42). It is by God’s will that this happens, not by Jesus’ own choice.

Second, and perhaps more difficult for us to understand, Jesus may have wanted desperately to go and prevent Lazarus from dying, but as we heard previously, God had a different plan. Jesus was obedient, even unto death for Himself, but the death of His friend was obviously emotional for Him, even though He knew God would use this to reach many others. Jesus teaches us that even when it is difficult, we must believe as we pray “Thy will be done”.

Heavenly Father, our thoughts and actions so often are only to please ourselves or to please others for our own gain. Help us to see the truth You send us, that our faith in Christ and obedience to Your will is the way to salvation. Amen.