Mark 11:1-11
11: Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Reflection
When Jesus enters into Jerusalem, the crowd praises him and rejoices at the hope of “the coming kingdom” they are expecting him to establish (Mark 11:10). This reminds us of the scene foretold in the Old Testament: “Rejoice greatly. . . . Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey . . .” (Zech. 9:9). Given the fact that Jesus already displayed his divine nature (esp. Mark 2:5–12; 9:2–7), his entry into Jerusalem and his upcoming visit to the temple (11:15–19) should be seen as God himself coming to the heart of Israel.
The infinite God comes to be with his people, both where they live and where they worship. Sadly, Jesus will find that corruption has infested the temple and that he is not welcome in the city. He will be dead within a matter of days, and yet we must realize that Jesus is not walking into a trap. He is on a mission to give his life (10:45).
Galatians 1:1-5
1: Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me,To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Reflection
Paul begins the letter by claiming his authority as an apostle. False teachers, on the other hand, were undermining Paul’s authority by claiming that he was self-appointed and lacking the endorsement of the apostles who were in Jerusalem. Paul must defend himself against this charge, and he begins by pointing out that the risen Lord Jesus was the One who appointed him (Gal. 1:1).
Even though the introduction to Galatians does not include Paul’s normal prayer of thanksgiving (e.g., Phil. 1:3–11), he does pray that God will bestow grace and peace upon his readers (v. 3). This peace is available only because of Jesus’ crucifixion, which purchased the forgiveness of sins and delivers us from the power and deception of “the present evil age” (v. 4; cf. 2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 1:13–14). This is the gospel message that Paul will promote throughout the letter.
Psalm 4:6-8
6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” 7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
The gospel provides a peace that cannot be found through political power, military force, or any other human effort. Pray for those in your life who have yet to experience the life-giving peace with God that is found only in Jesus Christ.