Week 6, DAY 4

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front 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, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” Matthew 21:1 – 11 (ESV)

On the Christian calendar year we observe two major holy days to commemorate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are Christmas and Easter. On December 25th (although this isn’t really the day he was born) we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who came into the world as a human. We recount the Nativity story of Joseph, Mary, little baby Jesus, the star, the Magi, and the shepherds which is our background for this special day. During Christmas we rejoice that God in human flesh came as the man Jesus and dwelt among us to show us the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Easter is the time of reflection of the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is a time we are reminded of the painful and gruesome death Jesus endured to atone for our sins. It is also a time to celebrate the truth that Jesus didn’t stay dead; he rose from the grave, He is alive today and seated at the right hand of God the Father.
The time of Lent signifies the sacred 40-day preparation of the believer for the Easter season. We also observe a day one week prior to the resurrection called Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday will happen on the last day of this week. This day ushers in the time called “Holy Week.” In addition to today’s Gospel of Matthew reading about Palm Sunday, you will read for the next two days from two other Gospel accounts, one in the Gospel of John and one in the Gospel of Mark. For the remainder of this week we will look at some of these Gospel readings
so we can see and celebrate the significance of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry. 
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