CHALLENGING THOUGHT: The Gospels paint for us a beautiful portrait of a man riding a donkey down the Mount of Olives as people from all over filled the streets to see the Christ. This triumphal entry is filled with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna.” Many of us know this scene all too well, but how many of us know what was happening on the other side of Jerusalem? As Jesus approached the city from the East, there was another parade that was taking place on the Western side of Jerusalem. With Passover approaching, Pontius Pilate would have left his home in Caesarea and made his way to the Temple. As Jesus made his way into Jerusalem from the East, Pontius Pilate made his way into the city from the West. Although both were greeted with shouts of praise and celebration each man entered Jerusalem with polarizing agendas. For Pontius Pilate, his military procession was a

demonstration of both Roman power and imperial wealth. Cavalry mounted on horses, foot soldiers, banners and trumpets would have announced the coming of one of the world’s most powerful men. The Roman kingdom had arrived. At the same time, a different type of king was entering into Jerusalem. Instead of a military procession full of power and strength, we see a man full of humility approach Jerusalem mounted on a donkey. Although Christ entered the city without the pomp and splendor that Rome had to offer, make no mistake, the King had arrived.

Jesus’s procession deliberately countered what was happening on the other side of the city. Pilate’s procession embodied the power, glory and violence of the Roman kingdom. Jesus’s procession embodied an alternative vision, the kingdom of God.

SOUL QUESTIONS:

The world’s view of strength and success is so much different than that of God’s. As Easter approaches, where do you find your attention being drawn?

The kingdom of God, and the kingdom of the World are very polarizing. They are two conflicting kingdoms. In which kingdom do you currently find yourself?

PRAYER:  Is there one person you want to see put his/her trust in Jesus…pray that God would open his/her heart to HIM during this Easter week.   Pray for God to show you someone to invite to the Easter Celebrations. 

CHALLENGING THOUGHT: To better understand the text, it’s important to know the Jewish teaching concept called, “Allusion.” Allusion was used by Jewish Rabbis as a way to enter into a realm of secondary meanings and insight. Allusion goes like this: The Rabbi would quote an Old Testament verse, and because the listener knows the verse, they are aware of the verses that come before and after it. Jesus did this all the time…it wasn’t the verse He quoted that was important, it was the verses before and after.

After driving out the money changers from the Temple, Jesus begins to teach. As the blind and lame make their way to Jesus for healing, the children begin to yell, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” In hearing the children yell, the religious rulers became indignant. Jesus responded to the religious rulers by quoting an Old Testament verse from the Psalms: “Out of the mouth of infants and babies, you have prepared praise.” On the surface, this appears to be a simple and innocent phrase. However, allusion will offer a deeper and more profound statement.

When you look at the verse Jesus quoted, notice the phrase that comes after.

“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies to silence the foe and avenger.” Psalm 8:2

Using Allusion, Jesus was rebuking the religious rulers and calling them enemies of God. This was a defining moment as Jesus began to teach at the Temple. It was during this time that the religious rulers were rejected and Christ claimed divinity and his rightful place as the Messiah.

SOUL QUESTIONS:

Jesus cleaned out the Temple of sin, corruption and the religious rulers who hindered worship. What in your life needs cleaning in order for proper worship to take place?

Listening was key when it came to allusion. What is God trying to tell you this week? Are you actively listening to His words and gentle whispers?

PRAYER:  Is there one person you want to see put his/her trust in Jesus…pray that God would open his/her heart to HIM during this Easter week.   Pray for God to show you someone to invite to the Easter Celebrations. 

CHALLENGING THOUGHT: Before the Passover Seder can start, the leader of the table washed his hands to show that he has gone through the ritual washings and he was ceremonially clean. Being without sin, Jesus had no need to show the disciples that He went through the ritual washings…instead, He showed them the “full extent of his love” by washing their feet. Not only did God the Son step out of Heaven and take on flesh, but He became a servant to those He loved and modeled true humility and love.

What is truly remarkable is that Jesus washed the feet of every disciple there…even Judas. Knowing that Judas had just met with Caiaphas, Jesus still chose to show to His betrayer the “full extent of his love.” Jesus had every right to

rebuke Judas and publicly call him out on his sin. He certainly could have refused to wash his feet and deny Judas that intimate experience. Jesus, however, demonstrated the need to serve and love not only His friends but His enemies as well.

SOUL QUESTIONS:

Is there anyone in your life who has “betrayed” you? How have you responded? Jesus responded with love, grace, and service…what actions do we need to take this week to those who have hurt you?

It’s not easy to show love and grace to those who have hurt us. In the midst of a difficult situation, how is God leading you to respond?

PRAYER:  Is there one person you want to see put his/her trust in Jesus…pray that God would open his/her heart to HIM during this Easter week.   Pray for God to show you someone to invite to the Easter Celebrations. 

CHALLENGING THOUGHT: Pontius Pilate and Herod sent Jesus back and forth to one another; the final decision on Jesus’ execution rested with Pilate. Ultimately, Pilate conceded and handed Jesus over to be crucified. There are several aspects of a crucifixion that involved scourging, asphyxiation, and of course spikes that were driven through the wrists and feet. Roman crucifixion was designed to be a gruesome and humiliating death. The condemned were stripped naked in order to die with as little dignity as possible.

What has always stuck out to me was the crown of thorns that was placed on His head. Movies and television almost universally depict the crown as being wrapped around the side of Jesus’ head. Historically, however, that depiction may be inaccurate. The crown of thorns Jesus wore may have looked more like a helmet digging not only into the outer part of his scalp, but also his entire head. The pain would have been excruciating. There are six nerves that encapsulate the human scalp and they are highly sensitive. Aggravated by the piercing of a sharp object such as a thorn, even more pain could then be inflicted by something as gentle as a breeze. If the scalp were carpeted with thorns, as was most likely the case with Christ, the pain would have been agonizing.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.  By His wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)  What an extraordinary act of love.

SOUL QUESTIONS:

What impact has the story of Jesus’ crucifixion had on your life? How has it changed you?

With Easter just a couple days away, take time to reflect on what Christ endured on the cross and what that means for us today.

PRAYER:  Is there one person you want to see put his/her trust in Jesus…pray that God would open his/her heart to HIM during this Easter week.   Pray for God to show you someone to invite to the Easter Celebrations.