Luke 19:28-40 (NRSV)
Read Luke 19:28-40 on biblegateway.com
Verse 28After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. Verse 29When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, Verse 30saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. Verse 31If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" Verse 32So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. Verse 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" Verse 34They said, "The Lord needs it." Verse 35Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. Verse 36As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. Verse 37As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, Verse 38saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" Verse 39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." Verse 40He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."
Devotion
On his entry into Jerusalem, Jesus was riding a colt obtained through a call for a great deal of trust. Who is the Lord who needs my colt? Is he a Roman, or some sort of royalty, or, most unbelievably, even God? Also, this colt is valuable; will I get it back, and how soon? Amazingly enough, the colt's owners asked none of these questions! Instead, the owners responded in trust at the expressed need of another: "I have, and he needs. Let mine be his." As it is today, this kind of generosity and faithfulness were rare in first-century Palestine, but God used these spiritual gifts to forge an image of the reign of God that has endured until and remains powerful today.
Prayer
Reigning God, you sent your Son into a distrusting world to demonstrate your faith in us. Help me give freely and generously, knowing that you use my gifts to spread your reign throughout your creation. Amen.