Daily Bread 2011 - Matthew 21
Daily Bread 2011 – Monday January 31st, 2011 – Matthew 21:6-9
Verse of the Day: “The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
What Does This Mean? The beginning of Matthew 21 recounts for us, Matthew’s version of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, also known as Palm Sunday. The gospel of John gives us the specifics of the cut branches being “palm branches”. The palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory in Jewish tradition, and is treated in other parts of the Bible as such (e.g., Leviticus 23:40 and Revelation 7:9). Because of this, the scene of the crowd greeting Jesus by waving palms and carpeting his path with them has become symbolic and important. (Wikipedia)
In Matthew’s version, the crowd cut branches and spread them on the road, as was the custom in the ancient near east to honor an important official, or king. There is sometimes debate, when Matthew quotes Zechariah 9:9 whether Jesus rode on the donkey and the colt together or on the donkey and the colt followed closely behind her mother.
The important thing is Jesus did not come riding on a horse which was the signal of an impending military conquest. The donkey was a beast of burden and symbolized peace not war. The donkey was a symbol of humility which would mark the road for Jesus from the chants of victory “Hosanna (which means God saves!)” to the cries of “crucify him” a few days later.
What Does This Mean For Us?
One of the battles we all face is trying to meet the expectations of those around us. It is hard to maintain an “audience of one” and be more concerned with God’s will than the cries of the masses. It is easy to succumb to the agendas that others would have for our lives. Sometimes we want to come in riding on the “white horse” to be the savior and take care of everyone’s problems.
But what would it be like to come in riding on a donkey instead? To enter into the scene in humility, like the beast of burden that comes in peace. Of course there are times we need to stand up and be counted, but there are also time we need to sit down and take the road less traveled.
Jesus thank you for showing us your humble nature, and your “unwillingness” to cave to the adoration of the crowd. You followed the Father’s will when the crowds cried “Hosanna”, and also when the crowds cried, “Crucify Him!” May we do likewise in our daily lives. Amen
Verse of the Day: “The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
What Does This Mean? The beginning of Matthew 21 recounts for us, Matthew’s version of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, also known as Palm Sunday. The gospel of John gives us the specifics of the cut branches being “palm branches”. The palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory in Jewish tradition, and is treated in other parts of the Bible as such (e.g., Leviticus 23:40 and Revelation 7:9). Because of this, the scene of the crowd greeting Jesus by waving palms and carpeting his path with them has become symbolic and important. (Wikipedia)
In Matthew’s version, the crowd cut branches and spread them on the road, as was the custom in the ancient near east to honor an important official, or king. There is sometimes debate, when Matthew quotes Zechariah 9:9 whether Jesus rode on the donkey and the colt together or on the donkey and the colt followed closely behind her mother.
The important thing is Jesus did not come riding on a horse which was the signal of an impending military conquest. The donkey was a beast of burden and symbolized peace not war. The donkey was a symbol of humility which would mark the road for Jesus from the chants of victory “Hosanna (which means God saves!)” to the cries of “crucify him” a few days later.
What Does This Mean For Us?
One of the battles we all face is trying to meet the expectations of those around us. It is hard to maintain an “audience of one” and be more concerned with God’s will than the cries of the masses. It is easy to succumb to the agendas that others would have for our lives. Sometimes we want to come in riding on the “white horse” to be the savior and take care of everyone’s problems.
But what would it be like to come in riding on a donkey instead? To enter into the scene in humility, like the beast of burden that comes in peace. Of course there are times we need to stand up and be counted, but there are also time we need to sit down and take the road less traveled.
Jesus thank you for showing us your humble nature, and your “unwillingness” to cave to the adoration of the crowd. You followed the Father’s will when the crowds cried “Hosanna”, and also when the crowds cried, “Crucify Him!” May we do likewise in our daily lives. Amen
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