“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38 NIV
We find ourselves at the beginning of the Church year, in Advent. Yet today we find ourselves not looking to the baby that is to come in the manger, but the adult Jesus entering Jerusalem to be crowned king. Instead of the true beginning of the story we start at the beginning of the end. Like a child peeking at his presents before it is even Christmas, today, we look ahead at what is to come. Some say that peeking ruins the experience of the gift giving. How can we receive the baby Christ without looking ahead to what He will do and what He will become for us? Jesus first came to us humbly as a baby laid in a manger. He came without pomp or circumstance, and only angels worshiped the King of the universe. In our reading Jesus comes to Jerusalem humbly, riding on a donkey. His disciples praise him as a King because of His miracles, but they do not know what is to come. They are expecting a celebration of the Passover with the man they want to be their king. Little do they know that in just six days Jesus will become their Passover lamb. This Advent let the shadow of the Cross be just as visible to you as it was for Jesus as He entered Jerusalem for the last time. Wonder not only at the fact that God would become man, but that it would be His purpose to die for us. For this baby who came to us humbly in a manger humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross, and through His death was crowned king over all.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Father, let the shadow of the Cross cover this time of Advent.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, let the shadow of the cross cover this time of Advent, and the entirety of this new Church year, that we might always be guided by Your Son, our crucified, risen and ascended Lord, Jesus. In His name we pray. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Psalm 94:17-23
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