Opening Prayer: Almighty God, You think about me, and that is amazing. Help me to grasp the gift of Your love, and help me to express Your love to those around me. Amen.

Read: Matthew 21:12-17

Reflect: Why did the priests and scribes want Jesus to stop the children from shouting about him? What was Jesus’ rationale for allowing the children to continue to shout about him? What kind of claim is Jesus making about himself to quote Psalm 8 in this story?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Heavenly Father, King Eternal”
Heavenly Father, King Eternal,
Leading on to victory,
Through the din and strife of battle,
Conquerors by Thy side are we.
Power of Satan cannot harm us;
Evil cannot long endure.
Marching ‘neath Thy mighty banner,
We do surely feel secure.

Through the valley, over the summit,
Darkest night and brightest day,
Waters deep and stormy places,
Still Thou leadest all the way.
Flash of lightning, crash of thunder,
Restless wave I shall not fear;
For the pathway straight before me
Is not long when Thou art near.

Sing! O sing, ye pure and spotless,
For this day art thou made whole.
Let the rocks and rills proclaim it:
Love hath cleaned yet one more soul.
Praise His name for full salvation;
Give Him praise forevermore.
Gladly take the cross of Jesus;
Follow as He leads before.

Closing Prayer: “Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.” (Psalm 72:18-19)