A journey towards Easter – the first of two studies by Captain Catherine Smith
STUDY PASSAGE: LUKE 19:28–40
LENT is often thought of as a journey. In these last two weeks before Easter, allow the journey Jesus made to Jerusalem to mirror your own pilgrimage with him to a holy place.
In his journey, the preparation came from pilgrimage, prophecy and promise.
Jesus was on a pilgrimage to partake in the Passover, one of three Jewish pilgrim festivals. If they were able, people travelled with their families to Jerusalem to participate in this important feast.
Many today still keep the tradition of Passover; it is a meaningful journey through God’s story in humanity and our response to it. The significant symbolism and memories evoke a sense of God’s hand through history and, indeed, our place in it now through Jesus. Are there some simple ways you could recreate this in your family or corps?
Zechariah 9:9 exactly prophesies this moment in the journey of Jesus. Preparation had been made in the annals of history, as well as the time that Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy. This raises our faith and hope that Jesus will also fulfil his word in our lives.
On 18 March 2008 somebody from another church walked into our prayer room at Southwark. She had written a prophecy for our corps that contained these words: ‘There will be no more miscarriages. This time next year, you will be saying: “See what the Lord has done.”
She did not know I had lost two babies the year before, and that there were a number of pastoral situations creating great tension for the corps.
Throughout his earthly ministry Jesus emphasised God’s promises. As the disciples obeyed his instructions to find a donkey, they found the necessary provision (v32).
In our journey with Jesus we should remind ourselves of his promises, be obedient to his instructions and find that God has already made provision for his will to be accomplished.
• As you journey towards a holy place this Easter, would it help you to share in a family pilgrimage to somewhere or something special – taking time to reflect on God’s goodness to you through the years?
• Can you call to mind any word or prophecy that has been spoken over your life or corps? Can you rejoice in the way God has been working things out beyond what you could see?
• Over the next week, write one of God’s promises to you each day and think on that. Does God require any action on your part in order to see a fuller revelation of him at work?
PRAISE AUTHENTICATED
As people praised God, there was recognition and rejoicing. They recognised Jesus as someone amazing. They burst into praise for the miracles they had seen and hailed him as the coming king.
People were exuberant and loud in their praise. Some tried to quieten them, but Jesus was not prepared to do so. In a deeper sense than they realised, their words were true: the King had come, ushering in his Kingdom. The crowds, therefore, could not help but welcome him.
• As we recognise who Jesus is, do we find ourselves rejoicing?
• As we represent Jesus to our world, do people respond in the same way?
Remember, Jesus was ushering in his Kingdom – that glorious place spoken of in Revelation 21:3 and 4: ‘They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’ (New International Version).
Does that promise not cause us to praise?
• This week, look out for Jesus all around you.
• Where will you recognise him and how will this cause you to rejoice?
The outcome of praise is to lift us to the presence of Jesus. Praise helps put all things into perspective, so that we can see with God’s viewpoint. The people in this Bible passage were caught up in the fascination of the procession of Jesus. They had a deeper journey to take into knowing his purpose.
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