Day 5: The Triumphal Entry
Mark 11:1-11 (ESV)
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “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!” And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Jesus knew something that many of us at Union Rescue Mission have figured out. People are watching every move a leader makes. They take note of everything you do – what you are driving, they watch the way you arrive, the way you walk, and who you are with. Do you arrive with an entourage? Do you look people in the eyes? Do you greet people or look past them? The other night, I extended my hand to a gentleman at Union Rescue Mission’s dinner. He seemed surprised. He said he had been here for 14 months, and I had never shaken his hand before. Remorse set in. Had I been too preoccupied with my work and struggles? He had faith.
When people see you coming, who do they see coming? Have you ever evaluated what your posture says to the world? Do you carry yourself humbly like Jesus? Would it help if you did?
Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Some intentional positive choices that I have made: the way I walk, the way I dress, what I drive, where I live, have hopefully made me more effective in my work and ministry. Have you taken the time to consider the way you live?
Rev. Andy Bales
President/CEO of Union Rescue Mission |
