Read Mark 11:
Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem. His purpose is becoming clear. His disciples are following his command to get a donkey and prepare for his entrance into Jerusalem. When they began the ascent into the City of David they found a crowd throwing branches on the ground as a royal welcome. A spirit of joy fills the crowd as they shout “Hosanna in the highest!” Everything is falling into place for the divine drama of redemption for all humanity. The cursing of the unfruitful fig tree, the cleansing of the temple from those who would turn a house of prayer into a market place, and his teaching in the porch of the Temple show that God is in control of this campaign. “The Son of Man has authority over the teachers of the law.”
What preparations are you making to observe Lent? You have the opportunity to find cleansing and renewal. You can grow in worship, serving, generosity, in reading and understanding the Word, in real Christian fellowship and in various ways to come closer to the Father who loves you. When I was a child we put pennies and nickels and dimes in a card board bank to make an offering to Jesus. On Easter we celebrated our growth in faith and obedience when we turned in our Lenten Self-denial banks.
Grow in prayer for those who are sick, especially for Bonnie and Jack who fight cancer. And may the God of all consolation fill you with the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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