Spiritual Disciplines | Worship
Mark 11:1-11
This is a story rich with Messianic imagery - the most obviously being that the colt is identified as the mount of the coming Messiah (Zechariah 9:9; Genesis 49:11). But the fact that Jesus seems to commandeer it (although he may have know the owner - some scholars think this) points to the prerogative of a king ancient cultures, and indeed in the law.
Not only is this a messianic image, and a kingly image, there is also an image of holiness here in that an unbroken beast of burden was sacred and used in sacrifice (Numbers 19:2; Deuteronomy 21:3). The message is clear - Jesus is a holy savior king. The second message about Jesus lays in his evident foreknowledge of everything that was going to happen. The conversation, the donkey, and how the donkey would be returned - Jesus knew it all. Jesus' foreknowledge is confirmed by the slightly strange phrase in verse 11 that has him looking around at everything. The word used for everything (παντα/panta) is used frequently in the New Testament and often translated 'all things' - eg, Colossians 1:15-20.
Placed just before his crucifixion the message is clear: Jesus is not an unknowing victim. The subsequent events are not some horrible accident. He chose the cross for the sake of our redemption.
The language that Mark ascribes to the crowd is also interesting, and not to be misinterpreted as a Messianic reference without sufficient clarification. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" comes from Psalm 118:25-26 and refers to pilgrims entering into the sanctuary of the temple. That is to say that the pilgrim is blessed in Gods name. Once again, to a first century reader this would have been a clear statement: "the God whom we used to go to the temple to worship has come to us as a humble servant."
This understanding of Jesus should shape the way we worship. Just as he came to those crowds in Jerusalem, so too is he present by his Spirit with us today. Just as he was worshiped by them, as a holy savior king so too should we worship him today. But one parallel cannot be draw: these crowds knew nothing of the cross that he would face for their sake. When we worship on this side of the cross with do so with the full understanding of where the road Jesus is walking on leads.
In light of this it is entirely just, reasonable, and right that we should lay down in worship not just cloaks and crops, but our lives.
Practice
Our practice for this week is to look over our weekly rhythm, both as individuals and as a community, and ask where we’re creating space to worship Jesus.
Draw out your weekly rhythm. Eg:
Monday - Friday: Bible & prayer reading before work/lectures
Saturday: Praying on zoom with friends
Sunday: Church
Ask: where is the space where I simply come to adore God and offer worship to him, as opposed to praying for others & myself, etc.
(Not that praying is bad of those are bad things - its good & we should do it! But as Mim and Will said on Sunday, we’re called to seek the presence of God, not just His almighty power to change situations).
This holy week, what about adding in a portion of time for worship? This could be 5 minutes in the morning with a worship song, psalm, or piece or art, or an extended time on the Sabbath! This is all an invitation of grace - we’re simply called to know more of God’s love for us, and to respond by laying down our lives.
