The donkeys cooperated with Jesus and went wherever the Master led them (Mt 21:3). The palm branches waived in praise of Jesus and lay prostrate before Him (Mt 21:8). Even the rocks were poised and ready to worship Jesus (Lk 19:40). Most of creation was in step with the Son of God as His ministry reached its culmination in Jerusalem.
While the asses were ready when Jesus needed them, Judas wasn't. He was too busy looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to His opponents (Lk 22:6). The rocks were ready when their time came, but Peter, whom Jesus named "Rock," wasn't. He denied he even knew Jesus (Mt 26:72, 74). Neither were any of the other disciples ready. While Jesus was abandoning Himself for the disciples, they were abandoning Him (Mt 26:56). The Jewish leaders, who had been studying their entire life in preparation for the coming Messiah, weren't ready either. When it came time to speak up for their long-awaited Messiah, they yelled, "Crucify Him!" (Mt 27:22)
The earth, animals, and plants are ready for the Messiah and Holy Week. What about you? Are you ready to pass the Messiah-test? Will the rocks and the asses outdo you? "The Master needs" you (Mt 21:3). Watch and pray this week and forever with Him.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, I devote my life to You. May my total love for You be as a soothing balm to bring You comfort and joy. |
| PROMISE: | "This is My blood, the blood of the covenant, to be poured out in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins." –Mt 26:28 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, Who humbled Himself to be treated as King one week before being betrayed and killed. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College