Gospel lesson for the week

Mark 11:1-11 

Jesus enters Jerusalem on the Sunday before the Passover, a day we now call “Palm Sunday.”  It is a day of celebration for Jesus and His disciples and all of Jerusalem.

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples²and said to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it.³If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.'"⁴They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it,⁵some of the bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?"⁶They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it.⁷Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it.⁸Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields.⁹Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna!  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! ¹⁰Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!  Hosanna in the highest heaven!" ¹¹Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Gospel Reflection Questions 
 to share and discuss

1. Why do you think Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey?
   
   
2. The people spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road ahead of Jesus – what do you think they were celebrating?  What were they expecting of Jesus?
   
   
3. “Hosanna” means “save us.”  How does God continue to “save us” today?
   
   

Prayer

With Palm Sunday crowd who greeted Jesus, we, too, Lord, ask you to save us, to heal us and to love us.  Help us to make room for Jesus in our lives this Palm Sunday and every day.  And, help us to welcome others in love into our lives.  
In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen

This is Mt. Olive’s weekly online Bible Study for youth, adults and families. Each week we will reflect on the coming weekend’s Gospel text covered at our upcoming worship services. This is your opportunity to read the text, reflect on the questions, share and discuss with friends and family, and share a prayer.

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illustration by Julie Lonneman exclusively for Augsburg Fortress.