Luke 19, Part 3

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Observation: Much has happened on Jesus' journey, but now He enters into Jerusalem. Jesus instructs two disciples to go ahead and bring a colt, never ridden, that they will find in a specfic place (see Zechariah 9:9). They use their cloaks as a saddle for Jesus, and help Him up on the animal. Cloaks are spread on the road in a sort of "red carpet" fashion. The crowd is shouting the words of Psalm 118:26, a Messianic psalm, which irritates the Pharisees, and they tell Jesus to quiet the crowd. Jesus tells them it would be futile, for if they were silenced the stones would cry out (v.40). Jesus knows as He enters Jerusalem that He will be rejected, and therefore He weeps. He knows that their rejection of Him will be their downfall; judgment will come upon them.

Application: Today, as in Jesus's day, there are those that closely follow Jesus, those who openly reject Him and His followers, and those who are on the fence, who don't outright reject Him but don't obey Him either. Where do I stand? I never want to doubt my place - it is with Jesus, by His side, whether that place is popular or not.

Prayer: Father, You better than anyone see what this world has become and continues to become. Christians are seen as "out of touch" and "intolerant" because we want to be followers of our King and Savior. We're ridiculed and ostracized, just as Jesus and His early disciples were. Despite this, I want to be on Your side. No matter what the world says, I only want to do that which pleases You. Otherwise, my life isn't worth living. Thank You for the life You've given me. In Christ Jesus I pray, Amen.