This Sunday we begin the journey toward glory of both the cross and the empty tomb.  Be sure and join us this week as we walk with Jesus from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem this Sunday, in the Upper Room on Thursday, to Calvary on Friday, and then the great celebration at the Empty Tomb on Easter Sunday.  Remember to invite your friends and neighbors who do not have a church home to join us on Easter for worship and for fellowship and food!

The journey begins this Sunday as we celebrate Palm Sunday and hear the story of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke.  Unlike the other gospels, Luke concentrates on the actions of the disciples rather than the actions of the crowds.  Pay close attention to how the disciples react to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.

²⁸After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. ²⁹When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, ³⁰saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³¹If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" ³²So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. ³³As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" ³⁴They said, "The Lord needs it." ³⁵Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. ³⁶As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. ³⁷As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, ³⁸saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" ³⁹Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." ⁴⁰He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."  Luke 19:28-40

·         In what ways were the disciples obedient to Jesus in this passage?

o   How would you feel if you were given the job of fetching the donkey?

o   If you were to sing Jesus' praises today, what would you shout out?

·         Notice the disciples' words of praise, do they remind you of words spoken before in the gospel of Luke?

·         What does this passage seem to indicate is the role of disciples of Jesus Christ?

·         What comfort or hope do you get from knowing that even if we fail to praise God that even the stones would shout out?

o   Have you ever felt that nature was shouting God's praise?

·         What does this passage seem to indicate is the role of disciples of Jesus Christ?

See you on Sunday! 

Pastor Sherill