300 Days for 300 Years: A Commemorative Devotional of the Presbytery of Philadelphia
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Rev. Dr. Robert P. Boell, Honorably Retired, 1984 Moderator of the Presbytery of Philadelphia

  • Liturgy of the Palms Readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29,
  • Reading Matthew 21:1-11
  • Liturgy of the Passion Readings:
  • First Reading Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16
  • 2nd Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
  • Gospel Reading: Matthew 26:14-27:66
  • Or alternate Gospel Reading: Matthew 27:11-54

Taking Care to Prepare

Palm Sunday

Tucked into the Palm Sunday narrative is a phrase suggesting Jesus was a think-ahead-person, that is, a planner. We read that Jesus sent two disciples into the village and said they would find a donkey and a colt. Then he told them, if asked about it, to say simply “the Lord needs them.” Luke’s version tells us they found it just as he told them (Luke 19:32).

Jesus took great care to prepare his entrance into Jerusalem. He prepared for an upper room and they found it as he told them. Before his death and resurrection he said “I go to prepare a place for you.” What confidence that gives us to know we will “find it as he told us.”
Our tendency is to rush into stuff, to plunge ahead. We do not prepare. Take a cue from Jesus and prepare. Prepare for this week called holy. Prepare to serve. Prepare for abundant post-Easter living. Embedded in the text we find a lesson. As Jesus was taking care to prepare, so might it be for us.

O Blessed One who comes to us, we are grateful you called us to prepare and live out our faith in gladness and service. Amen.