VS. April 20, 2025 Easter Sunday Devotional
April 20, 2025
MATTHEW 21:6-9 | 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
MATTHEW 27:15, 21-22 | 15 Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted.
21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!”
Holy week is more than a lesson in righteous anger, a window into moments when passivity would be the wrong response. It is also a vivid example of the power of patience. Jesus has to exercise great patience with a number of different groups.
The crowds, for instance, shift from giving Him a hero’s welcome when He enters the city, to condemning Him to a brutal death. People flocked to hear His amazing teaching. They surrounded Him to seek His help with maladies and illnesses. They rejoiced when He met their physical hungers and answered their deep questions. But they wanted political liberation and their disappointment at His refusal turned to anger. Peace loving donkey riders could not be real Messiahs! Yet Jesus could pray “Father forgive them! They do not know what they are doing.”
When have you had to exercise patience with a group?
Gracious God,
It is frustrating to be misunderstood! Give me patience when people are hard to please.
Amen.
