Daily Dose of the Word of God - John 12: 12-13

Kara Hackert, Director of Children & Family Ministries

Transcript

Kara Hackert  0:08  

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's Daily Dose of the Word of God. It's Tuesday, April 8. I'm Kara Hackert and this morning I'm reading to you how Jesus entered Jerusalem as king. Our scripture passage is John 12, verses 12 through 13, and our reading is from the Children's Bible in 365 stories. It's entitled, "The Big Procession."

Kara Hackert 0:32  

The city of Jerusalem was seething with people - Jews from near and far were arriving for the week long Passover festival. Just when it seemed that the narrow streets could hold no more, fresh batches of pilgrims surged in.The city was buzzing with the latest story about Jesus. He had actually brought back to life a man who had been dead and buried for four days.As soon as news arrived that Jesus was on his way, an excited crowd set off to meet him. Jesus and his disciples had come as far as Bethany. "Go into the village," Jesus told two of his disciples. "Bring me the young donkey you'll find tied up near his mother. If anyone asks you what you're up, to tell him that the master needs him and will soon send him back." The disciples did as Jesus said. When the bystanders heard that it was Jesus who wanted the donkey, they gladly let him go. When they had brought him to Jesus, the disciples spread their coats on the donkey's back to make a saddle. Thedonkey was not frightened when Jesus climbed onto his back, even though no one had ever ridden him before. He stepped proudly forward, and the pilgrims who had journeyed with Jesus began to jostle and cheer as they all began the steep climb into this city.

Kara Hackert  1:53  

Long ago, the prophet Zachariah had foretold that one day the true king would come - not galloping on a war horse, but riding a peaceful donkey.Jesus was showing all who had eyes to see that he was the king entering his capital in peace. The crowd from Jerusalem hurried down to join the new arrivals, and the whole huge procession moved forward again with cheers and shouts. Some went ahead and threw down their cloaks to make a royal road for Jesus. Others stripped branches from the trees, to throw on the path. "Hosanna," they shouted. "Save us now, God!" The long promised King has come. God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. At last, the little donkey with a king on his back, entered the streets of Jerusalem.

Kara Hackert  2:46  

Let's pray together. Dear Jesus, thank you for coming as our King to bring your peace. Help us to live in the joy and hope that your coming brings. Open our hearts to receive your love and our minds to receive your teaching. To you be all the glory, Amen.