Morning Reading: Luke 19.28-40 (NLT) – shout and sing

Reading: Luke 19.28-40 (NLT)

After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?”

Palm Sunday pilgrims enter Jerusalem though St. Stephen's Gate (March 28, 2010) — Palm Sunday pilgrims enter Jerusalem though St. Stephen’s Gate (March 28, 2010)

And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.

As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Fill me with an overwhelming sense of joy for all the wonderful things you have done… in me, around me, and through me. May I sing and shout your praises now… and forever. Amen.

Palm Sunday in Jerusalem 2013

Morning Reading: Luke 19.11-27 (NLT) – Kingdom entrepreneurs

Reading: Luke 19.11-27 (NLT)

The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away. He said,“A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’ But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’

“After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were. The first servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’

“‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’

“The next servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’

“‘Well done!’ the king said. ‘You will be governor over five cities.’

“But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’

“‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

“Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’

“‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’

“‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’”

Prayer: Heavenly Father – All that I have comes from you… gifts, abilities, opportunities, family, fortune and friendships… they are all given to me, in trust, with the expectation that I will utilize them to advance your Kingdom purposes. Lord Jesus – Keep my eyes on you… your life, death and resurrection… my King and my Lord. Holy Spirit – Mold me, make me, fill me, use me. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hymn: “Spirit of the Living God” – Daniel Iverson (1926)

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Morning Reading: Luke 19:1-10 NLT – seek and save

Reading: Luke 19:1-10 NLT

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.

He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

seek and save the lost — Human Trafficking
Engedi House

Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Open my eyes and my heart to those living around me who are lost. Give me your passion for lost souls… and make me an instrument of your forgiveness, healing and grace. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “I will never be the same again” – Hillsong United

Morning Reading: Luke 18:35-43 NLT – mercy

Reading: Luke 18:35-43 NLT

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

“Healing of the Blind Man”
by Brian Jekel

“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”

And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

Intercessions: Taizé

O Christ, born of the Father before all ages, you took upon yourself our humanity and you rose for us: we worship you.
— Glory to you, O Lord.

Son of God, Source of life, we invoke your goodness upon us and upon the entire human family.
— Hear us, Lord of glory.

Allow us to live by your life and walk as children of light in the joy of Easter.
—Hear us, Lord of glory.

Increase the faith of your Church; may it faithfully bear witness to your resurrection.
— Hear us, Lord of glory.

Comfort all who are burdened, and engrave in their hearts your words of eternal life.
— Hear us, Lord of glory.

Strengthen those who are weak in faith, and reveal yourself to doubting hearts.
— Hear us, Lord of glory.

Give strength to the sick, support the elderly and reassure the dying by your saving presence.
— Hear us, Lord of glory.

Liturgical Music: “O Lord Hear My Prayer” – Taizé

Prayer: Taizé

Risen Christ, through the Gospel your voice makes itself heard softly. You tell us: “Why worry? Only one thing is necessary, a heart attentive to my words and to the Holy Spirit.”

3rd Sunday of Easter: Revelation 5.11-14 (NLT) – worthy

Reading: Revelation 5.11-14 (NLT)

Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered —
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”