March 21st Reflection by Bill Lynch

Mark 11:1-11

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and 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. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Then 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.

Reflection
He came in humble. Not because he came in on a colt rather than a war horse. Jesus came humble and in peace. He came on a colt that had never been ridden. Something new for the colt and something totally new for Jesus. New for Jesus, new for you, new for me and new for the colt too. Jesus was doing something totally new and totally different. Jesus was doing something so different from what anyone could ever imagine, especially the people of the day. Jesus was coming to save all people from sin, death and the devil with an act of love so new that none of had any idea how deep and how wide this love would be.

Jesus in humility, yet the most wonderful power of God with him, was about to ride this colt towards the eternal destiny of so many people. Descendants of Abraham as numerous as the stars that God had Abraham witness one evening years ago in the night sky. Descendants that include so much more than the Hebrews but descendants that would contain all with faith in God.

Jesus was doing something new that would reverse the outcome of everything. And Jesus was doing this in humble servant obedience to the Father. Yes, a reason for all people to shout Hosanna!

Yet we are fickle. We change in a moment. Jesus on the other hand stays the course the Father has planned for him. Jesus stays the course and saves the world. Humble power displayed right in front of us all. Humble power and eternal love for God's created.

Then Jesus entered Jerusalem. Jesus observed the layout of the land. Jesus went to pray.

Prayer
Father; open my eyes to what Jesus did in humble service for you and for all people. Open my eyes to see this new "ride" you give to all people. Open my eyes to the love and passion. Open my eyes to salvation. Take me on that new ride with the colt to your will and your way, no matter the cost... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen