The Whole Story: A Life in God's Kingdom, Part FourSample

Family Devotional:

Today is Palm Sunday – a week before Jesus hung from the cross in Jerusalem. On this day, Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy as he triumphantly rode into Jerusalem as a crowd waved palm branches as he passed – the king had arrived! Unfortunately, as we know, this celebratory entrance would not end the way it started. Just before Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is the story of the woman anointing Jesus’ feet with perfume. This story can be interpreted in many ways, but a particularly powerful way to view it is in light of Jesus’ kingship. In these days, royalty was not only known by riches, but by smell. Wealthy members of society would cover themselves in perfume so that people knew their status. It is interesting to note that this woman offers her perfume to Jesus, who then rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. In other words, people could not see Jesus coming, but they could smell him coming due to the offering of the woman. The king had arrived, and he was going to save his people in a way that they could not have completely understood.

Daily Demonstration:

On this first day of the week leading to Jesus’ crucifixion, take time to honor Jesus as king. Up until his triumphal entry, Jesus’ identity as ling was kept secret from the general public. From this point forward, it would be clear who Jesus is and what he came to do to all those involved. Thank Jesus for his saving grace today and place your focus on his perfect sacrifice – it will be the theme of the week to come!

Additional Resources:

• Celebration Church, Online Resources, The Table: A Passover Dinner Guide
• Lois Tverberg, Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, (Amazon)
• N.T. Wright, How God Became King, (Amazon)