Hosanna | Kristi's Morning Devotional

March 24, 2024March 24, 2024

On The Way

Today is the day many around the world celebrate as Palm Sunday. The start of Easter week. To Jesus’ disciples it was just another day, a day when they began to think about preparing for Passover.

They were on the way to Jerusalem.

“Jesus took the twelve apostles aside and said: ‘We are now on our way to Jerusalem. Everything that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will happen there. ³²He will be handed over to foreigners, who will make fun of him, mistreat him, and spit on him. ³³They will beat him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life.’

³⁴The apostles did not understand what Jesus was talking about. They could not understand, because the meaning of what he said was hidden from them.” Luke 18:31-34 CEV

Jesus knew that Jerusalem would be the place of His death. But, that didn’t stop Him from going.

“When Jesus had finished saying all this, he went on toward Jerusalem. ²⁹As he was getting near Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples on ahead. ³⁰He told them, ‘”Go into the next village, where you will find a young donkey that has never been ridden. Untie the donkey and bring it here. ³¹If anyone asks why you are doing this, just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”

³²They went off and found everything just as Jesus had said. ³³While they were untying the donkey, its owners asked, ‘Why are you doing that?’

³⁴They answered, ‘The Lord needs it.’

³⁵Then they led the donkey to Jesus. They put some of their clothes on its back and helped Jesus get on. ³⁶And as he rode along, the people spread clothes on the road in front of him. ³⁷When Jesus started down the Mount of Olives, his large crowd of disciples were happy and praised God because of all the miracles they had seen. ³⁸ They shouted, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God.’

³⁹Some Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, make your disciples stop shouting!’ ⁴⁰But Jesus answered, ‘If they keep quiet, these stones will start shouting.’” Luke 19:28-40 CEV

The people were excited to have Jesus with them. They had seen the miracles, they had experienced His love, there was no one like Him but He was a threat to the religious leaders. They were scared of Jesus; they were losing control and they felt that the Roman governors would hold them accountable for Jesus’ actions. They had to do something.

” Each day, Jesus kept on teaching in the temple. So the chief priests, the teachers of the Law of Moses, and some other important people tried to have him killed. ⁴⁸But they could not find a way to do it, because everyone else was eager to listen to him.” Luke 19:47-48 CEV

What do think it would be like if Jesus was here today? I think people would be the same; some would love Him, and others would hate Him. He would show compassion but would require a reverence and honor for the Father.

He is still here today because He lives in our hearts. There are some who hate His influence; some are seeking for a better life, a life with hope and peace. Then there are those of us who know Him and are willing to follow Him all the way to the cross!

March 17, 2024March 17, 2024

A Donkey’s Tale

Here we are just two weeks before Easter and our road to the cross is about to come to an end.

Years back I wrote a short story entitled, “A Donkey’s Tale”. Did you know that the average lifespan of a donkey is 27 to 40 years? This morning, I will retell that story; I hope it makes an impact.

“There were two donkeys in a stable. One quite old and the other young who had never been ridden. Things were getting quite busy in Jerusalem; people were coming from all over the country. Preparations were being made for the Passover celebration. It was only a couple weeks away.

The animals in the stable sensed the excitement.

The older donkey began to speak. His bray was soft and low as he recalled a memory from 30+ years before. He had been a young donkey then; his steps were steady, and his back was strong. He said, ‘I carried a young woman to Bethlehem. She was very pregnant, and her baby was due anytime. It was a long trip – it took 5, or was it 6, days to make the journey.

When we arrived in Bethlehem, it was crowded and busy, just like Jerusalem is now. There was no place for my owners to stay so they made room for them in the stable with me. During the night the baby was born. It was so exciting!

Before I knew it the stable had filled with shepherds. They said they came looking for the baby. They said angels had told them about His birth. He was God’s Son, Immanuel, God with us. Mary and Joseph just called him Jesus.

After several weeks we returned to Nazareth and were there when a caravan of very important people arrived looking for Jesus. They gave Mary and Joseph gifts for him, so many gifts. They had traveled so far just to worship Him.

After they left, an angel came, and he told Joseph that we should take Jesus far away because there was a king who wanted to kill him. In the night, Joseph saddled me, and I took them to Egypt. It was another long journey. We stayed away for a long time until it was safe for me to bring my family back home to Nazareth. I knew I was carrying a king.

As the older donkey finished his story the young colt lamented, ‘I wish my life would have a wonderful story like yours.’

“Everyone in Jerusalem, celebrate and shout! Your king has won a victory, and he is coming to you. He is humble and rides on a donkey; he comes on the colt of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 CEV

Little did this young colt know that God would soon be using him in a similar way to the old donkey resting next to him.”

Now I know this is just a silly children’s tale, but it reminds me that we who are older should be used to encourage those who are younger in their faith. Don’t be discouraged, don’t give up.

“My friends, watch out! Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. ¹³You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called “today.” If you don’t, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. ¹⁴We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let’s hold tightly to our faith until the end.” Hebrews 3:12-14 CEV

Now let me finish my tale. Just a few weeks later our young donkey had an encounter that changed his life.

“Jesus found a donkey and rode on it, just as the Scriptures say, ¹⁵‘People of Jerusalem, don’t be afraid! Your King is now coming,
and he is riding on a donkey.’” John 12:14-15 CEV

One donkey’s road led to a manger: the other’s to the cross.

April 5, 2020April 5, 2020

Palm Branches Waving

The commemoration of Easter week is ahead of us. I’ve seen a post several times on Facebook of how we can celebrate what Christ did for us and not break our social distancing or self-isolation. Here it is:

“I’ve been thinking about this virus and the upcoming Easter season. What if we, as Christians, were to take red ribbons and pin or tape them to our door posts?…The bows would show this world and Satan that OUR GOD is still able to deliver HIS people from any and everything that tries to put us in bondage. We are HIS children. We are HIS favorites. We are HIS property, and HE loves us as no one else can. Let us show the world that we believe HIS word, and we are HIS. Cover those door posts, and stand on HIS promise of protection for HIS people. Passover starts April 8th -16th. Let’s get the word out!”

I have placed a red bow at my front door. Is anyone going to see it to ask me about it, possibly not? But I see it every time I come in and go out and it reminds me that the Lord has spared my life by taking my sin to His cross.

Today is Palm Sunday.

People came to Jerusalem this week to celebrate Passover and offer their sacrifices. What started on Palm Sunday ended with an empty tomb one week later.

“The next day a large crowd was in Jerusalem for Passover. When they heard that Jesus was coming for the festival, ¹³they took palm branches and went out to greet him. They shouted, ‘Hooray God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the King of Israel!’ ¹⁴Jesus found a donkey and rode on it, just as the Scriptures say, ¹⁵‘People of Jerusalem, don’t be afraid! Your King is now coming, and he is riding on a donkey.’ ¹⁶At first, Jesus’ disciples did not understand. But after he had been given his glory, they remembered all this. Everything had happened exactly as the Scriptures said it would.” John 12:12-16 CEV

These people were jubilant! They were so excited to see Jesus so they came running to the street with palm branches waving and voices cheering. There was something about Jesus and his compassionate ways that resounded with the common man. Everyone wanted to be close to Him, to hear His words and experience the miracles.

Just a short time before this Jesus had given His “mission statement” to a group who were following Him and listening to His teaching. Jesus declared that he would watch over us the way a shepherd does his sheep. A good shepherd fights off the predators and takes the sheep to good pasture.

“I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture. ¹⁰A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. ¹¹I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.” John 10:9-11 CEV

Provision and Protection. A full and abundant life.

That’s why people were cheering in the streets! Never, in their lifetime, had anyone been willing to make such claims and to demonstrate such love and commitment. His mission hasn’t changed – He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

He is our protector, our provider, our Savior. He is worthy of our honor and praise. Join with me and let’s lift our voices to say thank you and to express our love for the One who gave His all.