Today’s WORD (Text) Psalm 118 – 21 - 25
21/ I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22/ The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23/ This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24/ This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25/ Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Today’s Witness
Looking ahead to the commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem, when the path before him was lined with followers petitioning him, Save Us Lord! Give us Success! The mood is reminiscent of modern-day protests for equity and respect. This event resembles a mass rally calling for justice, more so than a high church processional with robes, incense, and golden candles. These people represented the marginalized and oppressed poor of their day, who lived on the underside of their socio-political world. The ancient prophets predicted that such a day would come when Messiah would bring hope to the downtrodden as the gates of righteousness opened before him. Such a day comes into history continuously, so that in every generation—including our own—and in every nation and language the faithful may say, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Today’s Invitation
Pause for a moment to envision your home, neighborhood, and the path from where you live to the church house where you worship. Now reflecting on all the images that come to mind between home and church, where along that path is the most fitting location for the Palm Sunday commemoration in light of the imagery above?
Today’s Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for entering into human history for such a time as this. Even with the passage of two thousand years, your arrival, your sacrificial life, and your Gospel message are as timely and compelling today as they were long years ago. Come Lord, and bring hope and healing to our nation and the world. We need your holy word, your power and your Spirit to lift us up where we belong. Come Holy Spirit to redeem and renew, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Derzulya Zaza on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) Psalm 118 – 21 - 25
21/ I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22/ The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23/ This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24/ This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25/ Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Today’s Witness
Looking ahead to the commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem, when the path before him was lined with followers petitioning him, Save Us Lord! Give us Success! The mood is reminiscent of modern-day protests for equity and respect. This event resembles a mass rally calling for justice, more so than a high church processional with robes, incense, and golden candles. These people represented the marginalized and oppressed poor of their day, who lived on the underside of their socio-political world. The ancient prophets predicted that such a day would come when Messiah would bring hope to the downtrodden as the gates of righteousness opened before him. Such a day comes into history continuously, so that in every generation—including our own—and in every nation and language the faithful may say, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Today’s Invitation
Pause for a moment to envision your home, neighborhood, and the path from where you live to the church house where you worship. Now reflecting on all the images that come to mind between home and church, where along that path is the most fitting location for the Palm Sunday commemoration in light of the imagery above?
Today’s Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for entering into human history for such a time as this. Even with the passage of two thousand years, your arrival, your sacrificial life, and your Gospel message are as timely and compelling today as they were long years ago. Come Lord, and bring hope and healing to our nation and the world. We need your holy word, your power and your Spirit to lift us up where we belong. Come Holy Spirit to redeem and renew, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Derzulya Zaza on Unsplash