ESOCS Devotional 30 May 2023
MEMORY VERSE: “And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded and they let them go.” Mark 11:6
TEXT: MARK 11:1-11
When they were getting near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent ahead two of His disciples
2 And instructed them, Go into the village in front of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied, which has never been ridden by anyone; unfasten it and bring it [here].
3 If anyone asks you, Why are you doing this? answer, The Lord needs it, and He will send it back here presently.
4 So they went away and found a colt tied at the door out in the [winding] open street, and they loosed it.
5 And some who were standing there said to them, What are you doing, untying the colt?
6 And they replied as Jesus had directed them, and they allowed them to go.
7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their outer garments upon it, and He sat on it.
8 And many [of the people] spread their garments on the road, and others [scattered a layer of] leafy branches which they had cut from the fields.
9 And those who went before and those who followed cried out [ with a cry of happiness], Hosanna! [Be graciously inclined and propitious to Him!] Praised and blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!
10 Praised and blessed in the name of the Lord is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna (O save us) in the highest [heaven]!
11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and entered the temple [enclosure]; and when He had looked around, surveying and observing everything, as it was already late, He went out to Bethany together with the Twelve [apostles].
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
The words we speak go a long way to reveal what stuff we are made of. We speak from the imagination of our heart. The heart is the centre of human faculty from where all thoughts, emotions and revelations flow. If your heart is purged by the Spirit of truth, then your words when it directs, will give proper guidance and when it reveals will reveal the truth. Our words produce fruits with which we are known.
In our text today, Jesus Christ by His words proved to His disciples that they can rely on His words. Relying on His direction and instruction, the disciples did not suffer shame. They were not misled. (Mark 11:1-6). They found the colt, which He spoke of and got the cooperation and permission of the owner the same way Jesus said it.
The personality we create or regard we receive from people is a product of what we say and do overtime. You cannot form the habit of speaking what you are not sure of and doing what you are not expected by the scriptures to do and have the people around take you seriously. They will ignore your commands and refuse your requests. We have got to package our lives as Christians in a manner that our words, deeds and decisions will carry the weight of acceptance.
Respect or honour is earned and not bought with money or by intimidation. The disciples of Jesus Christ willingly honoured Him without being pushed. The people followed to honour Him when they heard that Jesus was the one on the colt. They spread their garments for the colt to step on and sang songs of praise to the Almighty God, blessing their father David from whose root Jesus was born (Mark 11:8-10).
The personality of honour and respect is a function of the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in the life of those who are truly converted (James 3:8-12, 17).
- How do you stand in the estimation of those around you?
- Father, let your Spirit guide my thoughts, words and action to build in me a trustworthy personality, in Jesus name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Numbers 12:1-end; Ezekiel 1:15-22; Romans 15:22-end
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ESOCS Devotional 30 May 2023
