Contemplating Passion Week

Day 1 of our Week of Prayer & Fasting

READING: Matthew 21:1-17

THOUGHTS

Jesus arrival and first day in Jerusalem definitely didn’t go unnoticed.  He didn’t just slip in behind the scenes like at other times. Firstly, He intentionally put Himself on display to fulfil the ancient promise of the Messiah.

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9 NKJV)

If only Jerusalem realised that the salvation He was bringing was for deliverance from  their sins, a captivity that was so much worse than the Roman occupation.

As Jesus entered the city, the whole city asked the most important question in life:

"Who is this?" (v10) 

Who is Jesus to you?  Is He King, Is He the Lord of every aspect of your life?

Jesus’ first priority on arrival was to go to “The House of Prayer”, The Temple. What happened next would show how zealous Jesus was for uninhibited access to God.  God’s heart is for all humanity to freely access Him without being exploited or distracted by man centered activities or requirements.  Consider the picture we see in Revelation 7.

Rev 7:9  After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 

Rev 7:10  and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 

So, Jesus, in righteous zeal, drove out all those hindrances that would distract from worship.

PRAYER

As we begin our week of prayer and fasting.  Can I encourage you to do two things wholeheartedly.

Firstly,  Welcome Jesus!  Intentionally spend some time praising and rejoicing in His presence.  Lay yourself down before Him.

With that, consider that question: “Who is Jesus?”

Who is Jesus to you?  Is He Lord?  Does He deserve your wholehearted attention and devotion?  Is He the first priority as you start your day? 

I would like to encourage you to practice making Him first this week.  Wake up earlier if you need to, and spend time with Him. Consider what you might fast from so that you can demonstrate this priority in your life.

Finally, as you consider what Jesus said about prayer in this passage, are there any things in your life that might distract from prayer and worship. Maybe it’s time to take some drastic action to remove those things and sanctify God in your hearts.