image: Entry of Christ into Jerusalem,  Wilhelm Morgner

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.

-Mark 11:8-11

Mark’s telling of the entrance into Jerusalem, Jesus asks his disciples to commit larceny, tramples a lot of perfectly good cloaks, has a rather awkward scheduling conflict with Pilot’s Passover procession, sticks his head in the temple for a hot second and then goes straight back to Bethany– where he started in the first place.   There is a lot more happening in this story than a simple parade.  As usual, the work God is about is so much greater than we expect.  But there are no shortcuts to the Kindom. [hear sermon audio]

This week, take some time to go deeper.  Use these scriptures and questions in your own devotion time this week.

Texts to read:

• Psalm 118
• Acts 4: 1-20

Questions to ponder:

• When has a friend or family member acted differently than you expected?
• How did you respond?  What, if anything did you learn about yourself?
• What expectations do you have of God?
• How do your expectations support your faith?
• What might they blind you too?

Do and share:

• There are no shortcuts to Easter.  This Holy Week, commit to walking through the whole week.
  • Read at least one of the appointed readings each day.  You can find them at this page from the Vanderbilt library . They also have prayers and art.
  • Join us at DPUMC for Holy Thursday and Good Friday services.  Or find Holy Week services in your area.