Devotion 25 March 2026

Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  Zechariah 9: 9

READING: Matthew 21: 1-11

The reading above from Zechariah was a prophecy describing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, being hailed a king, yet not one that the people were expecting.  When Jesus enters Jerusalem on the first day of the of the preparation for the Passover, it was to fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy. Christs’ kingdom didn’t come to overwhelm and to rule with force.  He didn’t come riding a war horse, leading a vast army to subdue His people; He came to establish a kingdom of love, justice, and peace, bringing forgiveness for the people’s sins, unlike any other kingdom on earth. This was demonstrated by His entry into Jerusalem riding on a colt.  He came to bring forgiveness to a world plagued by sin.  Jesus’ disciples had  borrowed a donkey and her colt as instructed by Jesus.  They put their cloaks on them.  A large crowd gathered and lay palm branches on the road.  They went ahead of Jesus shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest!” (verse 9)  The whole city  was aroused and asked who this man was. The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (verse 11)  It is ironical that this very crowd, only a few days later, would shout, “Crucify him!”   Jesus will and can today enter our hearts and our lives, bringing forgiveness for our sins, telling us His kingdom is possible for us also.  He will enter our lives with love and humility to establish a world which is not ruled by violence, hatred, dominance, and corruption!  When will our world learn to accept Jesus’ Kingdom of love and peace?    God wishes that Jesus’ kingdom would spread throughout the whole earth and through all generations.  Let us praise God that He is still working among us to establish His Kingdom, if only all people would come to accept His Love and peace.

Prayer

Let us rejoice as we enter Jerusalem with Jesus.  We thank and praise Jesus that He is still working among us to establish His Kingdom.  Open the hearts and minds of all people to Your Holy Name of love and peace and may we all come to praise You.  Amen