Palm Sunday · Sunday, March 21
The king on a donkey
Read
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a young donkey, and the crowds spread branches and cloaks on the road.
Read Mark 11:1–11
1 When they came near to Jerusalem, to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 2 and said to them, “Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him, and bring him. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs him;’ and immediately he will send him back here.” 4 They went away, and found a young donkey tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him. 5 Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing, untying the young donkey?” 6 They said to them just as Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it. 8 Many spread their garments on the way, and others were cutting down branches from the trees, and spreading them on the road. 9 Those who went in front, and those who followed, cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 Jesus entered into the temple in Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Do
Wave branches (or paper ones), and say what the crowd shouted. Loud or quiet both count: shout it, whisper it, or just wave.
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
In plain words “Hosanna” was a cheer that meant “Save us!” The crowd was welcoming a king.
Mark 11:9, World English Bible.
Ask everyone
Kings rode horses. Why do you think Jesus chose a donkey?
Or, a simpler one: Which is bigger, a horse or a donkey? Which is gentler?
Pray
Lord Jesus, you came gently, on a donkey.Please be with us this week. Amen.