40 Days to the Cross - Day 1

During the Lenten season, I will share 40 Days to the Cross - events in chronological order from the last week of Jesus life.

Day 1
The Entry into Jerusalem
Scripture
Matthew 21:1-11 (HCSB) 1 When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, 2 telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you should say that the Lord needs them, and immediately he will send them.” 4 This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: 5 Tell Daughter Zion, “See, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” 6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their robes on them, and He sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their robes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9 Then the crowds who went ahead of Him and those who followed kept shouting: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! 10 When He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds kept saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee!”
Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19

Devotion
As the week begins, Jesus enters Jerusalem in a grand fashion. He does not enter on a white stallion, but rather on a donkey. And the crowds cheer him. They shout “Hosannah!” The crowds greeted and welcomed Jesus as the Messiah! The crowds were quoting a messianic psalm!
As we begin the Lenten season, what a better time to consider welcoming Christ as the Savior and Messiah of our lives! Can we sped the next 40 days seeking Him and His will for our lives? Will we be like the Jerusalem crowds and turn our cheers to jeers when things are not politically correct? Or will we continue to seek Him and share with others how they can welcome Him, too!

Questions
What are ways we can “welcome” Jesus in our lives today?
How have you specifically welcomed Him?
What can you do to help other welcome Him?

Prayer
Dear Jesus: I welcome you in my life as Messiah. Help me show the way to others. Amen