based on the Love God Greatly Study, Lent – A Season of Drawing Close to God / w6d1
THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)
Scripture: Luke 19:28-44 / SOAP: Luke 19:38
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Luke 19:38 NET
Jesus has been preparing His disciples for this moment and all that will follow – (death, resurrection, His ascension, and the great commission) throughout His ministry, and even though He has now reached the road leading up to the Mount of Olives Jesus does not shrink back. He presses on and engages the disciples in what’s next, namely securing the colt on which He would make His triumphal entry.
While we call it a triumphal entry it is worth noting that Jesus does not enter as a conquering hero who has come to save the day but rather as the humble Savior and Son of God that He knew He was. He did not make arrangements for a great or impressive horse but rather a donkey, a colt that had never been ridden.
Our focus verse (38) is one of the most well known verses from this passage and the start of what would be a celebration by a great crowd of Jesus’ disciples. For the sake of his audience, Luke keeps his account of the event short but Matthew reveals the fuller picture and, I dare say, the version most of us are familiar with: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9). Mark and John share a quote similar to Matthew’s version, but as Bibleref.com points out, “Likely, different people are shouting different things, including praising God for the miracles they have seen Jesus perform,” as Luke indicates in chapter nineteen, verse thirty-seven, “but,” continues bibleref.com, “the gist is the same: Yahweh’s chosen king, in the line of David, is coming to take His rightful throne in Jerusalem.”
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
Remember we are disciples of Christ and we are called to engage in the ‘great commission.”
Draw people’s attention to the Son of David – with a loud Hosanna or an invitation to church for Easter Sunday.
Press on through this week with eyes and thoughts on the cross and on the One who willingly lay down His life for His sheep.
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY
Father, as we, the disciples of Christ, enter this week leading up to Easter, a week referred to by many as holy, may we prepare not only our own hearts but may we make known the “Son of David”, whether with loud shouts of “Hosanna!” or simple invitations to our Easter services. May we not hesitate to engage ourselves with the work of the cross for the sake of the lost. May we remember that those who do not know our Savior will face a horrible eternity after death and may this inspire us to follow the example of Jesus and not shrink back or be silent in moving forward to the scene of the cross, the mourning of His death, and the rejoicing in His resurrection and ascension – without which there is no hope. – Father, this Easter may many hear and believe and along with us shout Hosanna to the Son of David!- Amen and Amen in Jesus’ Holy Name – Blessing and honor and glory be Yours both now and evermore 💜🦋
THE MORE WE KNOW
The Importance of the Pharisees Response (vs 39)
For more insight – please be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog Post