As we move, this week, towards Palm Sunday, I would like to invite you to enter into an Imaginative Meditation of the well known events of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. If you prefer, there is an audio version of this meditation on the into-deeper-waters.com website. You can listen to it here
Begin by sitting in a comfortable and upright position and close your eyes.
Take a deep breath in, hold it briefly.. and then let it out slowly…..
do this five times……………… let go of any tension you may be feeling in your body…….. gradually let go of the things on your mind………. and sink into a relaxed and peaceful place of stillness.
Read Mark’s Gospel (Mark 11:1-11 GNB)
As they approached Jerusalem, near the towns of Bethphage and Bethany, they came to the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of his disciples on ahead with these instructions: “Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you get there, you will find a colt tied up that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. And if someone asks you why you are doing that, tell him that the Master needs it and will send it back at once.”
So they went and found a colt out in the street, tied to the door of a house. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders asked them, ‘What are you doing, untying that colt.’
They answered just as Jesus had told them, and the men let them go. They brought the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the animal, and Jesus got on.
Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut the branches in the fields and spread them on the road. The people who were in front and those that followed behind began to shout, “Praise God God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the coming kingdom of King David, our father! Praise God!”
Jesus entered Jerusalem, went into the Temple, and looked round at everything.
Enter into the meditation, at whatever level feels appropriate for you today.
I would like you to imagine that you are on the Mount of Olives, near the towns of Bethphage and Bethany………………….
Take time to observe the scene and take in as many details as possible…………………..
Notice the time of day…the weather…houses…the road…the people in the vicinity…..
Watch as Jesus and his disciples approach………… Listen as Jesus says, “Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you get there, you will find a colt tied up that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. And if someone asks you why you are doing that, tell him that the Master needs it and will send it back at once.”
Which two disciples go?……………go with them.
What is their mood?…………
What do they talk about on the way………………
How do they respond when they find the colt?……………….
Do they have any concerns about untying it?………
Hear the bystanders ask them what they are doing………………
Notice the bystanders reaction, when the disciples reply that the Master needs it…………
Observe the colt…………….
Does it walk quietly with the disciples or is it reluctant to move…………….
How do you feel as you observe this scene?…………………………..
The disciples return to Jesus with the colt………………
Watch as they put their cloaks on the colt’s back………..
Observe how the colt responds ……..
How does the colt respond to Jesus getting on its back, the first time anyone has ridden it……………………………………………
Jesus and the disciples set off towards Jerusalem…………..
Many people join in the procession……….
Some going in front and some followed on behind…………
What is the mood of the crowd?…………………………
Observe them throw their cloaks down on the road……………….
Watch as they cut branches and spread them on the road……….
How are the disciples reacting to this?………….
How is Jesus reacting to the crowd?……………………
What are you thinking as you participate in this scene and how are you feeling?………………………………….
The colt pauses and Jesus looks directly at you……………………..
What does his look convey to you?………………………………..
How do you want to respond to him?………………………
Then he speaks to you…………..what does he say?
What do you want to say to him?……………………
The colt starts moving again and Jesus continues on into the city…………….
The crowd are shouting out praises………………..
Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord!…………Hosanna to the son of David……Hosanna in the highest!
How are you feeling now?……
Offer your praises, in the quietness of your heart.
You may like to close this time of stillness and meditation by saying the Lord’s Prayer.
You will find more audio meditations for Easter on the into-deeper-waters.com website.
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