Discipleship Point and Prayer
Matthew 21:1-11
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
As we read in Matthew 21:1-11, the prophet Zechariah (9:9) is quoted in reference to King Jesus’ impending ride into Jerusalem:
See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Jesus came and engaged our enemy in war, but not the way most would call a battle. The only blood shed was His own. But in this He would establish His kingdom, opening the door to fellowship with the Father, the original reason He came anyway. Fellowship with God the Father and each other is a powerful bond. Lifetimes of friendships and memories develop from such fellowships. And they fit right into the life Jesus desires for us to share with Him.
Discipleship Point
Why Fellowship as a Separate Event?
We hope fellowship occurs each time God’s people gather, whether in micro, small, or large groups. But as part of discipleship, we see fellowship as a stand-alone event intended as a low-key entry point so that friends not yet part of a God-centered group can connect with yours. These friends can be churched or not, Christian or not, members of church or not. This is a major pathway for building relationships where discipleship blossoms.
Discipleship Prayer
Father God, help me to not miss out on or minimize fellowship with You and with Your son Jesus. Also give me a desire to expand the joy of fellowship by including others in it. Help me share the joy that You have when a sinner repents, returning to You. Whatever way You want to use me, I want to be used for these ends. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 146:9-10
- The LORD watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. - The LORD reigns forever, your God,
O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.
Teaching or Command of God:
Psalm 127:1
- Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
Psalm 127:2
- In vain you rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Pondering Point
When you think about your life, do you view it from the perspective of what you are building or what God is building? Address God about this.