a slow journey through lent: day 40

Today. Today is the day. Palm Sunday. The Triumphal entry. I feel like this day is like watching a movie I've seen dozens of times. I know what's coming and I can't look away. I don't want to miss this - this moment of anticipation of a beautiful celebration of Jesus. Pause and sit in the moment of the story.

Notice what rises up inside of you as you read it. Imagine yourself there, in the crowd. Try not to think about what is to come, but sit here in this day, in this moment. Read through and imagine yourself as a person, as the donkey, as a child, as any object in the scene. What do you hear? What you smell? How does the scene unfold before you?

Respond to Jesus before you.

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

28 After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. 29 As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. 30 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

32 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33 And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?”

34 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.

36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”[a]

39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”