Monday, April 15, 2019

The Only Time Jesus ...




Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem [Palm Sunday]

“And when they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village opposite you and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them, and bring them to Me.  And if anyone says something to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.’

“Now this took place that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’

“And the disciples went and did just as Jesus had directed them, and brought the donkey and the colt and laid on them their garments, on which He sat.  And most of the multitude spread their garments in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees, and spreading them in the road. 

“And the multitudes going before Him, and those who followed after were crying out, saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!’” Matthew 21:1-9



Only on, what we call, Palm Sunday did Jesus ever allow those around to speak openly of who He was and to worship Him.  What a surreal morning that must have been for Him and His disciples.  

Those disciples imagined their lives would be changing for the much better once Jesus ascended to the worldly throne of Jerusalem.  No matter how often He spoke of His death, they missed the message!

Perhaps, Jesus had tears welling up … some of fear (yes, I know that seems irreverent) … some of love, pity, of hope and the reality of knowing He was His Father’s Son.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who still prays for you each morning.  Darlene

PS: Please send me prayer updates.  Find my statement of faith by clicking or cut and paste this link into your Web browser:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com   You can find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for “WeakDay Devotion.”  (Also, there is a “Google Blogger” App you can download to read them on your phone.)

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
·        Pray for those who loved Mary Minter Robbins – I met Mary in San Francisco in the mid-80s.  She was speaking at a conference – this American industry giant was working in Australia!  She encouraged me to pursue my adventure.  We kept in touch and I moved to Australia, then to New Zealand.  Our common love of books and direct marketing meant we spent … never enough time together.  She died suddenly last week.  I had not seen her in years, but we kept in touch.  Please be sure to take time with those you love before you miss them and there are no more chances to hug them.
·        Pray for strangers in the church – it is the season when people believe they must attend an Easter service somewhere.  Pray they hear, listen to and respond to the Truth of the Resurrection.
·        Isaias and Judith of Ambassadors for Christ in Philippines – Isaias returned to Europe to extend the work of training up disciples for the harvest.  Pray for his safety and travelling mercies.  This ministry gives so much to so many for so little.  To learn more:  http://www.afciworld.org (Top of page:  "Where We Work” > “Asia-Pacific” > "Philippines").
·        USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in an unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest in You alone.
·        Jenny S –Bible teacher will be in Canberra for a week, teaching and speaking.  Pray for traveling mercies, wisdom and time for reflection.
·        Sergio – lost his job and now looking again.  He was recently diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes.  Was living with his brother, but has been asked to move out, leaving him homeless.  
·        Toron – finishing his high school studies and needing strength, focus and confidence, especially with maths.

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