A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. “Which…

Hosanna!   Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!   Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!   Hosanna in the highest heaven!  Mark 11:9-10 (NIV)   Did you sing Hosanna on Sunday?  Did you know it means ‘save us’?   Did you sing sincerely, asking Jesus to save…

  While Jesus was in the Temple, He watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box.  Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a…

Jesus saw through their trickery and said, “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well then,” He said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”  Luke 20:23-25 (NLT)   Some of Jesus’ final conversations were on His crucial-to-teach-before-death…

  Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling dove, and He stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will…

As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of them on ahead.  “Go into the village over there,” He said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just…

Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey – riding on a donkey’s colt. Zechariah 9:9 (NLT)   Palm Sunday certainly sounds like a party, doesn’t it?  The Message translates shout…

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.  They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.  Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of draught.  Their leaves stay green, and they…

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you.  I said, “You are my servant”; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help…

(Jesus weeps over Jerusalem) But as He came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, He began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace.” Luke 19:41-42 (NLT)   Holy Week begins next Sunday as we celebrate Palm Sunday.  It takes effort to make this…