In light of today being Palm Sunday and this being the week to remember Jesus' sacrifice for us, I thought I'd repost some thoughts that I shared last year. These devotional-type posts reflect on the significance of the events that occurred on this week some two-thousand years ago in the form of daily devotionals. I'd like to encourage you to read the passages that are listed to gain a broader understanding of the many events that you and I often take for granted.
While there is special significance in looking at the actual dates called out for these events, it can also lead to confusion and distraction from the more significant meaning of the events. In other words, the what is more important than the when. Therefore, I'm going to avoid as much as possible dwelling on the specific dates. Just know that they ultimately line up so well that it is clear that throughout the Old Testament, God is setting up the one week that forever changed history. Hope you enjoy these posts.
While there is special significance in looking at the actual dates called out for these events, it can also lead to confusion and distraction from the more significant meaning of the events. In other words, the what is more important than the when. Therefore, I'm going to avoid as much as possible dwelling on the specific dates. Just know that they ultimately line up so well that it is clear that throughout the Old Testament, God is setting up the one week that forever changed history. Hope you enjoy these posts.
Today’s Scripture Reading: Exodus 12:1-24; Mark 11:1-11
“on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb”
God’s Word, in the Torah, states that the lamb would be selected on the 10th of Nisan. Jewish tradition had added the custom of the High Priest going out to Bethany on this day to select the lamb that was to be sacrificed. He would then bring it into Jerusalem and into the temple.
Take a moment to reflect on the significance of Mark 11:11.
Why would Jesus go into the temple to simply look around and then leave?
Could it be because He was the Lamb of God (John 1:29) who had been selected by God to be the Passover Sacrifice?
This is the picture the people of Israel should have had in their mind as Jesus came into Jerusalem from Bethany. The jubilant reception Jesus received from the crowds, the cries of “Hosanna”, indicate that they were aware that something of significance was happening. Some would even make the claim that prophecies such as Daniel’s 70 weeks in Daniel 9 can be seen to predict, to the day, this return of the Messiah.
However, the crowd did not consider the implication of Christ’s coming as the fulfillment of the Passover. Why was the lamb led into the temple? So that four days later it could be sacrificed. Instead the crowds cried “Hosanna” which literally meant “Save us now!” They wanted deliverance from Rome, but God intended deliverance from sin, the fulfillment of the Passover Sacrifice. Many did not want to accept God’s answer, or His timing. Four days later the crowd can be seen crying "crucify Him."
Questions for Reflection:
“on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb”
God’s Word, in the Torah, states that the lamb would be selected on the 10th of Nisan. Jewish tradition had added the custom of the High Priest going out to Bethany on this day to select the lamb that was to be sacrificed. He would then bring it into Jerusalem and into the temple.
Take a moment to reflect on the significance of Mark 11:11.
Why would Jesus go into the temple to simply look around and then leave?
Could it be because He was the Lamb of God (John 1:29) who had been selected by God to be the Passover Sacrifice?
This is the picture the people of Israel should have had in their mind as Jesus came into Jerusalem from Bethany. The jubilant reception Jesus received from the crowds, the cries of “Hosanna”, indicate that they were aware that something of significance was happening. Some would even make the claim that prophecies such as Daniel’s 70 weeks in Daniel 9 can be seen to predict, to the day, this return of the Messiah.
However, the crowd did not consider the implication of Christ’s coming as the fulfillment of the Passover. Why was the lamb led into the temple? So that four days later it could be sacrificed. Instead the crowds cried “Hosanna” which literally meant “Save us now!” They wanted deliverance from Rome, but God intended deliverance from sin, the fulfillment of the Passover Sacrifice. Many did not want to accept God’s answer, or His timing. Four days later the crowd can be seen crying "crucify Him."
Questions for Reflection:
- How do you respond to God’s answers of your requests?
- Are you willing to accept His provision of your spiritual needs as more important than the satisfaction of your physical wants?
- Finally, are you willing to wait on God for His sovereign timing?
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