“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38*)
In the days when we remember the Savior’s journey to Jerusalem, we are called to welcome Him not only with festive shouts but with sincere hearts. The Jewish people had long awaited their king, imagining a victorious military leader who would deliver them from their enemies. However, the One entering Jerusalem is “righteous, gentle, and bringing salvation, riding on a donkey“ (Zechariah 9:9*). His path is radically different—He comes not to rule with force, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.
As this gentle King passes by us, He might be asking us the same question He asked blind Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?” We are often inclined to ask God for small things, but the Lord invites us to be bold in His presence. The true miracle is to cry out, “I want to see, Teacher!” (Mark 10:51*), because what we truly need is His mercy and grace.
As we enter Passion Week, it is time to examine what our lives yield. Absorbed by the fast-paced daily life and caught up in “much busywork,” we easily lose sight of the importance of refreshing our spirit. Christ reminds us that “only one thing is needed.” Let us, like Mary, choose what is better—quiet ourselves in His word and cleanse our hearts. Only if we sincerely cleanse ourselves from life's illusions will we not be a ground that yields useless thorns, but become an “honorable vessel, sanctified and useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21*).
Lord Jesus Christ is the true King who deserves our praise!
* Biblical quotations are from the Bible, new translation from the original languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013