Mark 11:1-11

¹As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, ²saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ”  ⁴They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, ⁵some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” ⁶They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. ⁷When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.⁸Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.⁹Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,    ”Hosanna!”    ”Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
¹⁰“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”    ”Hosanna in the highest!”  ¹¹Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Personal Reflection

The crowd shouted and waved and praised Jesus as their Messiah – the savior (v9-10).  But soon after, they became the crowd that wanted to nail Jesus on the cross.  It is easier to follow and praise God when everything seems to be going well, when God is meeting our expectations, and when faith is supported by those all around us.  This reminds me of what happens at TC.  Almost everyone is raising their hand and feeling spiritual high.  Later, when people are back to the reality where living out the faith is costly and lonely, they slipped away from God.  The strength of our faith is tested when all of these supports and assumptions begin to fall away.

I never attended TC as a teenager, but I do have my shares of conferences (Urbana 06,,09), short term mission trips, and retreats (at least 20).  I believe conferences and retreats are very vital in a believer's spiritual growth.   The Holy Spirit works in reviving our souls through praise songs, drama, message, and the passion of the believers.  The Holy Spirit works powerfully during the quiet times in personal prayer and devotion.  The only repeated pattern in the ministry of Jesus is withdrawing to the wilderness to pray.  The Holy Spirit works in our planning and going out to difficult places to share the good news of Jesus Christ.  Finally, the Holy Spirit works powerfully when we trust in God in the midst of our difficulties.