35 As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 Then he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him, and when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me see again.” 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” 43 Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God, and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.

Questions/Reflections to Consider

1.   What is one question you have after having read this passage?

    What is one thought or observation that interests you after having read this passage?

    What do you sense this passage might be saying to you personally after having read it?

    What do you sense this passage might be saying to our church and leaders after having read it?

For a moment, talk to God, pray, perhaps use the passage and thoughts as a basis for your conversation.

1-3 When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples with these instructions: “Go over to the village across from you. You’ll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you’re doing, say, ‘The Master needs them!’ He will send them with you.”

4-5 This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet:

Tell Zion’s daughter,

“Look, your king’s on his way,

    poised and ready, mounted

On a donkey, on a colt,

    foal of a pack animal.”

6-9 The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, “Hosanna to David’s son!” “Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!” “Hosanna in highest heaven!”

10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, “What’s going on here? Who is this?”

11 The parade crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Questions/Reflections to Consider

1.   What is one question you have after having read this passage?

    What is one thought or observation that interests you after having read this passage?

    What do you sense this passage might be saying to you personally after having read it?

    What do you sense this passage might be saying to our church and leaders after having read it?

For a moment, talk to God, pray, perhaps use the passage and thoughts as a basis for your conversation