When they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him, and bring him. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs him;’ and immediately he will send him back here.â€
They went away, and found a young donkey tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him. Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing, untying the young donkey?†They said to them just as Jesus had said, and they let them go.
They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it. Many spread their garments on the way, and others were cutting down branches from the trees, and spreading them on the road. Those who went in front, and those who followed, cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!â€
Jesus entered into the temple in Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Mark 11:1-11 (WEB)
If the Scripture today seemed very similar to yesterday’s passage, that happens in Mark’s gospel.
It is a ‘heart experience’ as I read about Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. This is a passage of Scripture that is totally about emotion. Here is the Messiah. Here is the Promise of which the prophets have spoke for hundreds and hundreds of years.
Jesus goes from the adoration of the entrance to killing a fig tree and cleaning out His house of thieves. I am reminded that Jesus is my Savior and God. The two Old Testament Scriptures spell this out.
“Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh, to minister to him, and to love the name of Yahweh, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.†Isaiah 56:6-8 (WEB)
“Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods that you have not known, and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered; that you may do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,†says Yahweh. Jeremiah 7:9-11 (WEB)
Almighty God! It is His determination to call all to Himself. In Isaiah’s passage, He is inviting those who are not of Israel to come in and dwell with Him. That was a radical thought to the people to whom Isaiah was speaking!
Then Jeremiah brings a warning that false religion is worthless. Do not come into God’s house as a hypocrite proclaiming your love for God and then go out and follow “other gods†to sin. Are there any other gods in my life? Is there anything or anyone that has my allegiance above God?
As a mother, I have to be very careful that I do not put the needs of my children above God. Oh, how I need the wisdom of His Spirit! Have I succeeded in church work but failed to take the time to worship my LORD?
Create in me a pure heart, LORD, that desires You, and only You, above all else. May my life produce abundant fruit that testifies to You in my life, full of faith and trust in You.
