MARCH 27 - JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM ON PALM SUNDAY
READ Mark 11
Jesus is perceived as an earthly king as He rides into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey.
INSIGHT
When Jesus rides into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey, why does the crowd rush out to greet Him? The answer is found in Jewish culture and history. In Old Testament times, one of the ways a king was inaugurated was to get on a donkey and have a large retinue of people walk along behind him shouting, “Long live the King!” The crowd in the temple wants to make Jesus king. When they see Him riding toward them on a donkey, they use it as an opportunity to precipitate a coronation. That He was crucified shortly afterward indicates that they were looking only for a national leader rather than a personal Savior. How do you see Him?
PRAYER
Express your praise to the Lord in the words of this psalm:
Let the whole earth shout triumphantly to the Lord!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God.
He made us, and we are his,—
his people, the sheep of his pasture
(Psalm 100:1-3).
As you seek to keep your life free from sin, confess this prayer to the Lord:
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.
See if there is any offensive way in me;
lead me in the everlasting way
(Psalm 139:23-24).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Pause to pray this passage of affirmation to the Lord:
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account (Hebrews 4:12-13).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
God of peace, sanctify me completely; make my whole spirit, soul, and body to be preserved blameless at the coming of my Lord Jesus Christ (Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Jesus is perceived as an earthly king as He rides into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey.
INSIGHT
When Jesus rides into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey, why does the crowd rush out to greet Him? The answer is found in Jewish culture and history. In Old Testament times, one of the ways a king was inaugurated was to get on a donkey and have a large retinue of people walk along behind him shouting, “Long live the King!” The crowd in the temple wants to make Jesus king. When they see Him riding toward them on a donkey, they use it as an opportunity to precipitate a coronation. That He was crucified shortly afterward indicates that they were looking only for a national leader rather than a personal Savior. How do you see Him?
PRAYER
Express your praise to the Lord in the words of this psalm:
Let the whole earth shout triumphantly to the Lord!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God.
He made us, and we are his,—
his people, the sheep of his pasture
(Psalm 100:1-3).
As you seek to keep your life free from sin, confess this prayer to the Lord:
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.
See if there is any offensive way in me;
lead me in the everlasting way
(Psalm 139:23-24).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Pause to pray this passage of affirmation to the Lord:
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account (Hebrews 4:12-13).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
- Greater faithfulness in sharing Christ
- Your state and local leaders and civic affairs
- Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
God of peace, sanctify me completely; make my whole spirit, soul, and body to be preserved blameless at the coming of my Lord Jesus Christ (Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2026.