Taylor Barner, Senior M.Div. Student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

Matthew 21:1-11

1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, 'The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately." 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

5 "Tell the daughter of Zion,
         Look, your king is coming to you,
         humble, and mounted on a donkey,
         and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

"Hosanna to the Son of David!
       Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
       Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."

Devotional

HOSANNA! Hosanna in the highest! It is an event that is seared into our minds, an event etched on our hearts—the triumphal entry of Jesus into the holy city of Jerusalem. What a sight to behold! There were people lining the road, spreading their cloaks, welcoming this prophet from Nazareth like He’s in the Macy’s parade. And we remember this event with joyful praise and the waving of palm branches. But what of Christ? What does our Lord see before him? What does he feel? With such joy He is welcomed in, but amidst the praise and joy there is the somber knowledge of what is to come in the next few days. The poor carpenter’s son, welcomed as a king, the One True King, come to die so that we may live. So come, spread your cloak upon the road and wave that palm branch. Shout hosanna! For the King has come!

Prayer

Triumphant Lord, we praise you with shouts of “Hosanna!” May our hearts receive you with loud thanksgiving. Forgive us, O God, and turn us back toward your Son, that we may spread our cloaks and prepare for his coming. In Christ’s great name we pray this prayer and all the hidden prayers of our hearts. Amen.

Taylor Barner, Senior M.Div. Student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

Matthew 21:1-11

1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, 'The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately." 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

5 "Tell the daughter of Zion,
         Look, your king is coming to you,
         humble, and mounted on a donkey,
         and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

"Hosanna to the Son of David!
       Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
       Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."

Devotional

HOSANNA! Hosanna in the highest! It is an event that is seared into our minds, an event etched on our hearts—the triumphal entry of Jesus into the holy city of Jerusalem. What a sight to behold! There were people lining the road, spreading their cloaks, welcoming this prophet from Nazareth like He’s in the Macy’s parade. And we remember this event with joyful praise and the waving of palm branches. But what of Christ? What does our Lord see before him? What does he feel? With such joy He is welcomed in, but amidst the praise and joy there is the somber knowledge of what is to come in the next few days. The poor carpenter’s son, welcomed as a king, the One True King, come to die so that we may live. So come, spread your cloak upon the road and wave that palm branch. Shout hosanna! For the King has come!

Prayer

Triumphant Lord, we praise you with shouts of “Hosanna!” May our hearts receive you with loud thanksgiving. Forgive us, O God, and turn us back toward your Son, that we may spread our cloaks and prepare for his coming. In Christ’s great name we pray this prayer and all the hidden prayers of our hearts. Amen.