Devotion for the day | Praise to the King of Kings

Devotion for the day or Quite Time Lesson theme is Praise to the King of Kings

Praise to the King of Kings:  Luke 19:28-40

 Scripture (NIV)

²⁸ After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

²⁹ As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them,

³⁰ “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.

³¹ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

³² Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.

³³ As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

³⁴ They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

³⁵ They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

³⁶ As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

³⁷ When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

³⁸ “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

⁴⁰ “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

 Reflection

Our Humble King (19:28–36)

The triumphant entry, which we celebrate on Palm Sunday, features Jesus riding a colt in fulfillment of God’s words given to the prophet Zechariah. The people spread their cloaks on the road as an act of homage befitting a king. However, Jesus is not a king who seeks to lord over the people and treat them as slaves. Rather, He is the humble Shepherd who lays down His life for His people. Therefore, we can always joyfully submit to Him, knowing that He will guide us with tenderness and lead us into righteousness. Even when arduous trials and seemingly unexplainable suffering come our way, we can know that Jesus is ever near to us and will fulfill the purposes God has for us.

How does Jesus as a humble King affect your desire to follow him? How does Jesus’ humble kingship change your view of your current struggles?

A Piercing and Joyful Noise (19:37–40)

The conclusion of this scene befits a movie: Jesus’ donkey trots down the hill as the people shout praises to the Lord at the top of their lungs. They are so loud that the Pharisees tell Jesus to quiet them. But when we understand what Jesus has already done for His people and what He is doing now—preparing a home in heaven for us where they will be no more sin but only perfect peace and never-ending glory—boisterous praise is the only appropriate response. No wonder all of creation, even the rocks, cannot contain themselves. May our hearts be the same as we regularly reflect on who Jesus is and what He has done for us.

What motivates you to praise the Lord with great joy? Take time to think about all that He has done and is still doing for you.

 Prayer

Dear Lord, I am in awe of Your glorious power and gentle humility. Fill my heart with this knowledge so that I can naturally burst forth in praise and find strength to surrender to You in the midst of my trials. In Your name, amen.