Luther Seminary

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Archives for March 23, 2021

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Mark 11:1–11 (NRSV)

Read Mark 11:1–11 on biblegateway.com

Chapter 11When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples Verse 2and said to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. Verse 3If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.'" Verse 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, Verse 5some of the bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?" Verse 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Verse 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Verse 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Verse 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

"Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Verse 10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

Verse 11Then 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.

Devotion

“Those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9). Notice how this verse describes the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It says that some are ahead of him while others are following behind. In other words, Jesus is in the midst of them.

I find it easy to forget that Jesus is not only behind or ahead of us. He is not simply a figure from 2,000 years ago or a savior who will meet us in the moment of death and bring us to new life. Our verse reminds us that Jesus is here now in our midst. He comes to us today with a Word of forgiveness and freedom. He meets us whenever and wherever we meet a neighbor—in our homes, workplaces, schools, and community.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank you for your presence in our midst. May we and those we meet be enclosed in your gracious Word of love. Amen.

Mark Tranvik ’92 Th.D. Professor of Reformation History and Theology