When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.”’ They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Reflection
Jesus shows some divine knowledge when He tells His disciples that they will find a colt near the entrance of the village. They had not been to the village, but He knew it was there. While that may be surprising it is the reaction of some of the residents that is even more remarkable. When the disciples said they were taking the colt because the Lord needed it, they let them take it. They demonstrated total trust in the words the disciples spoke. Do we show the same trust today? Do we believe, without question, what we read in the Bible?
The disciples took the colt to Jesus and put cloaks on it to make some sort of saddle. As He rode towards Jerusalem some people threw their cloaks on the road, others threw leaves. What a demonstration of adoration. We all have heard the story of Sir Walter Raleigh demonstrating his admiration for Queen Elizabeth by putting his cloak over a puddle. These people were throwing their cloaks on the road for the Messiah to ride over. As they did this, they shouted out the truth and acknowledged that Jesus was coming in the name of the Lord. He was their hope, they were expecting great things, perhaps including freedom from the cruel Roman rulers. We are also looking for freedom, freedom from wondering which tier we will be in next week or how many are allowed into a church service. We all want freedom from this pandemic. The good thing is that just like the people Mark wrote about, we can look to a higher authority. No matter what is happening we can shout Hosanna, as we look to Jesus who we can trust to save us from anything that the world throws at us.
Prayer
Loving God We ask that You show us your power by taking away our fears and worries. Forgive us for the times we have doubted you and help us to put our total trust in you. As we look to a future that might be like the old normal or might be a new normal help us remember that you are our eternal unchanging God. We put our trust in you and ask for your help to tell others that you still love us. In Jesus name we pray Amen
