Let today’s devotion prepare your heart for Easter…
Suppose I knew ahead of time that the people who cheered for me one day, would sneer at me five days later. That the people who showered me with praise one day would hurl insults the next. How would I respond to the accolades, applause, and admiration of others on a Sunday…if I knew those same people would turn their backs on me and shake their raised fists at me the following Friday?
That’s exactly what all-knowing Jesus faced when He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. It was the first day of what we’ve come to call Holy Week—a remembrance of Jesus’ last days.
Zechariah prophesied about the event: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold you king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (9:9)
That day had come, and as the donkey clomped along the dusty streets of Jerusalem with the King of Kings upon his boney back, the crowd gave Him a royal welcome by waving palm branches and spreading their cloaks on the road. They chanted:
“Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13)
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” (Mark 11:10)
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:19)
Hosanna is from two Greek words: “Yasha” which means “save or deliver” and “anna” which means “please, I beseech.” (Strong’s 5614). The people hoped that Jesus would save them from Roman tyranny, but He wanted to save them from so much more. He was coming to deliver them from the curse of sin and death. But their shortsightedness prevented them from seeing the eternal kindness of God’s greater plan.
For just a moment walk beside the donkey in your mind’s eye and listen to the words Jesus heard. “Hosanna!” “Blessed!” “King!”
Now fast forward five days and listen to the mob at his mock trial and again at the foot of the cross. “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:22-23) “He saved others, but He can’t save Himself!” (Matthew 27:42)
Even though Jesus knew the chant would change from the ride into town to the road to the cross, He continued moving forward. Why? Because of grace—unmerited favor, a gift we could never earn, God treating sinners better than they deserve. Knowing what He knew was going to happen five days after His entrance into Jerusalem…He still rode.
That’s the same grace He offers you and me today. We praise Him one day and put Him off the next. We shout, “Hallelujah praise the Lord,” one day and cry out, “He didn’t come through for me” the next.
And in all the flip-flopping between trusting Jesus one day and turning our backs on Him the next…He still loves us. He still rides into our hearts knowing our weaknesses and waywardness.
He knew we would have times of rejoicing and times of rebellion, and yet, grace still rode into town…into my heart and yours. As we take some time to prepare out hearts for the celebration of Easter, take some time to thank God for His never-ending, over-flowing, inexhaustible grace.
Jesus, I am in awe that You gave Your life for me, even though You know everything I have done in the past and will do in the future. Thank You for Your amazing grace. May I never forget the wonder of Your sacrifice for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What is one thing about God’s grace that you are thankful for today? Leave a comment and let’s thank Him together.
Digging Deeper
Thinking of Jesus riding into town to praises of His people one day and walking to the cross to the jeers of the same people a few days later, was a Sudden Glory moment to for me. God opened my eyes to see that truth. If you would like to know how to experience moments of Sudden Glory in your own life…moments when God makes Himself known on a daily basis, then this book will help you get there. That’s why I wrote it!
Check it out and learn how to open your eyes to see Jesus in new and fresh ways. A Sudden Glory: God’s Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More
Comments 55
I thank God for my salvation.
Thank you for your beautiful devotional today!
I am so thankful to Jesus for everything I have but today I want to take a moment and thank Him for healing.
Amen!
Thank you for this and the other devotionals. I do wonder sometimes why those people would cheer Jesus one day and then want to kill him the next. Then I look at the news and say, some people are no different than those in Jesus’s day. More need to know about him and love.
Jesus’ faithfness, Mercy, Strength,
That He never left me through my trials and errors thankful for His grace mercy and His grace!!
I’m grateful for God’s provision that he gives even though I dont deserve it. I’m grateful Jesus-Emmanuel was willing to come and die for my sins so I can start each renewed and guiltless. Ready to try again to bring glory to the Father in spite of my shortcomings.
He is a forgiven God.
Every day that I wake up is a gift of grace, and an opportunity to follow Him.
Yes, zHE still rides into our lives, hearts with grace!Halljz!! Thank you LordJesus co me!!!
Thank you, Jesus!
Aw, I love this! One question though, what does Strong’s 5614 mean?
Author
Sorry. I should have taken that out. It is a Hebrew/Greek dictionary of original words in the Bible. The definitions all have a number.
So thankful that because of God’s mercy and grace, He saw beyond my younger, feisty, wounded and prideful self and gave me a new life. He did not give me what I deserve, but instead offered to walk through this life with me, and when it’s over to welcome me to my new home. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice
His Grace keeps flowing to me- someone who says she has TRUST in God to provide what I need. So why am I anxious about a life decision? Why do I worry about money? I know God will provide…but I keep saying “what if……..?” So where is my trust?😥😥
Jesus’ grace covers my questions and doubts.
I am so thankful that God didn’t let me die while I was in the world of sin.
I thank God for sending his son to pay the price for humanity and to allow us to come into deeper relationship with Him. Thank you God, for we need you every single day. This world is so lost. I thank you God I am no longer lost, thanks to Jesus and the comfort of you Father! Your miracles are the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. Thank you for that!
I am thankful that no matter how many times I mess up, He still loves me!
I thank God for my husband of 6 years. After praying for 44 years for my previous husband to change, become a believer among many other things. God wonder if they see this or something answered with this amazing, Christian man! I never knew what a true marriage could be. “Exceeding abundance”!! Undeserved!
It’s everlasting
I thank God for forgiving me
I’m so thankful that He always welcomes me back to His arms when I struggle and fail but NEVER says “this is your LAST chance!”
That I have NEVER truly been in n need. Unfortunately too much in the want but through his grace and mercy never need.
I love reading your Devotionals , they pick me up ! I?read 2 off my phone and Read my Study Bible Scripture…everytime I read them , I?read something new !
I am THANKFUL and BLESSED everyday I have another day of Grace and Love from our Lord …. and the sacrifice He made ! “HAPPY EASTER”
I am thankful for His saving grace. He heard my prayers and delivered me from a belief system based on a spirit of fear. He gave me new life, abundant life, and freedom. I’m also thankful for the ladies small group I recently joined at a church I also recently started attending more regularly. The women in the group lovingly welcomed me, have been praying for me, even at times when I haven’t specifically asked for prayers, and given me hope and support during a season of uncertainty and turbulence I’m experiencing right now. I’m thankful for another family in Christ who has been supportive of me during this time, giving me words of wisdom and encouragement, fellowship by inviting me to go with them to see Phil Wickham & Tauren Wells in concert, and yesterday, helped me clean my basement out after it flooded two weeks ago. I am both thankful and blessed!
I’m thankful for God’s forgiveness of all my sins!
I’m so thankful that when I enter into the presence of Jesus, every time I find peace and restoration.
Thank you for this precious reminder of God’s grace!
I’m thankful that no matter how much I have messed up and no matter how much I do not deserve Gods grace, He still always loves me, forgives me, and welcomes me back with open arms.
I’m grateful for the many times I prayed to God for something & then he helps me & I mess up again. So, I’m grateful of God’s forgiveness & how he shows me grace to pick me back up & push me forward, not allowing me to sit in & stay idle in my mistakes. He shows me grace of a new day & new opportunities to get it right, which encourages me to press forward. God’s grace, is the many testimonies I have of God working things out in my favor with ease. God’s grace have knocked on my door, with so many unexpected blessings I didn’t see coming, but definitely needed & am grateful for. God’s grace reminds me everyday that he sees the beginning, middle & end, so he works out plans for my life according to his will, not my wishes. His plans & his timing has been & will continue to be what’s best for my life & I’m grateful! God’s grace reminds me that he has the final say, no matter the circumstances. So I’m grateful of God’s grace! Amen!!! 🙏🏾🙌🏽🫶🏽
I just love Sharon Jaynes. If she ever comes to the Carolinas, I definitely want to.get a ticket
❤️🙏😊❗
Author
She just loves you too! I live in the Charlotte area:)
Thankful for His rescue and redemption 43 years ago. Colossians 1:13-14
I’m so grateful for His unmerited grace and never giving up on me as I continued to sin against Him…Thank you Jesus for always pursuing me and new mercies each day✝️🙏
I’m grateful for God’s Grace which leads to forgiveness of my transgressions and enables me by the power and strength of the Holy Spirit to submit to His Will in my life. Thank You, Jesus. 🙏🏾✝️
Ephesians 2:8-9
I’m thankful for God’s unconditional love and the forgiveness of my sins!
I thank the Lord for the healing he has done in our lives. I ask for prayer for my husband who is undergoing total knee replacement again today on the same knee as he had done last Tuesday. When he got home, his blood pressure went real low and he fell and damaged his knee. Thank you so much. He has been at a skilled nursing facility this week as he is non weight bearing right now. Please pray for the surgery and recovery to be great. God has always been so good to us.
His unwavering Love!
How could I pick one thing when he gives me everything. Mercy, salvation & grace 🙏
Thankful for God’s grace saving me in. Tucson- I prayed God- don’t let me die in the desert-! I was sick and He spoke to me in a devotional- “the desert will not be your tomb! You will not die in the desert-“ Psalm 118:17
You will live and declare the works of the Lord!!!
I am here today because of his Grace🙏🏻❣️
Jesus, I am in awe that You gave Your life for me, even though You know everything I have done in the past and will do in the future. Thank You for Your amazing grace. May I never forget the wonder of Your sacrifice for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Thank you Jesus !! 🙏
Thankful for the unmerited favour of God!!
I thank God for his forgiveness 🙏🏻🌹
I thank God for His faithful consistency. Many times I’ve failed Him, but He still extends His grace to me. I don’t know where I would be without His grace.
Grace and forgiveness every day. Every day in my weakness I ask for forgiveness and it is given. Praise His mighty name
I thank Him for His love for me, and His forgiveness! “I’m just a sinner saved by Grace.”
I am thankful for his faithfulness, patience, abounding love, and His amazing grace!
Thankful for my relationship with Him.
TY for completing my total knee surgery. I’m now on my path for recovery.
Many Blessings; Stephanie
His walk to Calvary , for me and for you….. He is the One and only .
Thank you for this….all the things from my past came flooding back and the the grace and forgiveness gifted to me…a love beyond understanding, yet given to me! A sinner loved and given an eternal home with my Savior…. No words can express my gratitude only my heart!!
I am thankful that His grace meets me where I am at and causes me to rise higher.
Denise you sound like me! Thank you Jesus for calming me when I am anxious, and for walking with Denise and me, and pouring out your grace on us even when we tremble, having to make a decision.
I am so grateful that He is aIways close. Each day I have another opportunity to be a better child of God.