Prayer for Palm Sunday – Matthew 21: 1 -11
Matthew 21:1-11
Jesus enters Jerusalem
21:1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,
21:2 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.
21:3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.”
21:4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet;
21:5 “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.”
21:6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them;
21:7 they brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them.
21:8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
21:9 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!”
21:10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?”
21:11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
JBR Photos – #1 stained glass window – Philadelphia #2 palms – Central Florida
Hosanna! Hosanna!
Gracious God,
We give thanks for Jesus entering Jerusalem,
riding on, of all things, a donkey.
Each year, we celebrate that procession,
both humble and triumphant.
We remember that even as the crowds praised him,
Jesus did not turn aside from his path.
He remained focused in his purpose,
knowing his call would lead to the cross.
The victory was not in the parade
or in the shouts of the crowd.
The true victory would unfold in the days that followed.
May these branches be a sign for all who follow Jesus:
that we, too, are called to faithfulness.
That we, too, are invited to live lives
that reflect his obedience
even when the path leads to places that are uncomfortable
or places we do not wish to go.
Grant us strength, courage and vision for the journey ahead.
Amen.
