A Triumphal Entry

 

Many people carpeted the road in front of him with their cloaks and prayer shawls, while others gathered palm branches and spread them before him. Jesus rode in the center of the procession, with crowds going before him and behind him. They all shouted in celebration, “Bring the victory! We welcome the one coming with blessings sent from the Lord YAHWEH! Blessings rest on this kingdom he ushers in—the kingdom of our father David! Bring us the victory in the highest realms of heaven!” Jesus rode through the gates of Jerusalem and up to the temple… – Mark 11:8-11 (TPT)

What an entry! Picture it, cloaks, prayer shawls and palm branches covering the road like a carpet together with celebratory shouts of victory to welcome Jesus to Jerusalem – that was a triumphal entry!

Jesus entered Jerusalem as the conqueror and King that He is but by the end of that week the same people who lauded praise over Him would reject Him.

Despite the expressions of praise and joy, the multitude would eventually question Jesus’ identity and the claims of Him being their saviour, as He was not the Messiah they imagined.

Today, the day known as Palm Sunday, marks the beginning of one of the most important periods on the Christian calendar, Holy Week – the seven days which led up to an event that turned the entire world on its head. A triumphal entry which led to a heartbreaking crucifixion which led to an amazing resurrection, and the world was forever changed.

These last days of Lent, invite each of us to walk with Jesus, step by step. Too often, we want to move from a triumphal entry straight to a glorious resurrection, conveniently ignoring everything in between – the betrayal, the surrender, the testing, and the sacrifice.

Beloved, understand that this is the same in between that you, as a believer, must encounter on your personal journey to spiritual resurrection. It is not an easy road, but a necessary one. With each step you may feel defeated, but do not give up, focus on Jesus and keep walking, it is the road that leads you to victory and a triumphal entry into eternal life.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “A Triumphal Entry” ©2026 March 28, 2026  

 

 

 

 

Jesus sends for an ass

 

Throughout the New Testament we read of Jesus calling sheep, caring for sheep, tending sheep, sending sheep and referring to us humans as sheep, but in one particular New Testament account, Jesus sends for an ass.

The Weymouth New Testament translation of Matthew 21:1-3 reads,

When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front, saying to them, "Go to the village you see facing you, and as you enter it you will find a she-ass tied up and a foal with her. Untie her and bring them to me. And if any one says anything to you, say, 'The Master needs them,' and he will at once send them."

In those days, the ass did not have the lowly status as it has today, on the contrary, the ass was a prized possession and, as we see in all four Gospel accounts, was an appropriate choice for a triumphal entry.

I read this passage in several versions and somehow it conjured up in my mind how we humans might be compared to an ass, not as lowly but as a prized possession, and worthy of use by God.

Let’s eavesdrop on a conversation God is having with Hagar, Sarai’s Egyptian maid, about Ismael, the son she had for Abram, in Genesis 16:12 (NRSV),

“He shall be a wild ass of a man, with his hand against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; and he shall live at odds with all his kin.”

Okay, pause for a moment, because I know that you know someone who fits that description, but you’re headed in the wrong direction; so, come back this way and let’s move on.

This wild-ass nature is not what you think it is. It has nothing to do with the type of turbulent lifestyle or being prone to violence in the way you might imagine, but about being free to be of service to God.

Free to surrender all to Him, free to be obedient to His call, unafraid and ready to go out into the world to proclaim the more than good news, to work diligently on His behalf, it is about being free to stand up for Christ.

It’s not to serve yourself but to serve God, just like the ass Jesus sent for.

The ass Jesus sends for, comes in both genders – a wild ass of a man, like Ishmael, or a wild ass of a woman, they are those persons who are untamed and cannot be harnessed, ready to bolt forward into the world for God’s purposes.

The ass that Jesus sends for, is passionate and violent about his/her spiritual mission; he/she eagerly pursues the Kingdom undaunted.

And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. – Matthew 11:12 (AMPC)

When Jesus sends for an ass, He knows that person will be wild for Christ, unburdened to do whatever He has called him/her to do – to demonstrate His glory and give Him a triumphal entry into the lives of others.

The ass that Jesus sends for is untethered, to bring hope to the suffering, to assure them that God is able to provide all their needs if they’ll trust Him and allow Him to.

The ass that Jesus sends for is freed to go to the lost and let them know that God sees them, that He hears them.

Beloved, the ass that Jesus sends for is unleashed to roam from place to place burdened with nothing but the amazing message of a God who loves and cares deeply for them, so much so, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life (John 3:16 ERV).

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Jesus sends for an ass” ©2026 March 27, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drawing All People

 

Scripture: John 12:32 (NIV)

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

Reflection

The cross stands as both exposure and invitation. It reveals the depth of human violence and the depth of God’s love at the same time. Christ lifted up becomes a centre drawing humanity toward reconciliation.

Lent prepares us to face this reality without turning away. At the cross, human cruelty is laid bare and divine mercy remains steadfast, drawing wounded humanity toward restoration.

Communities gathered around this love become agents of healing. They participate in the work of drawing people toward justice, compassion, and restored relationship.

Prayer

God of reconciling love,

Draw my heart toward Christ.

Heal divisions that wound your people.

Strengthen my commitment to unity.

Make me an instrument

Of your reconciling work ~ Amen.

Invitation

Pray for someone different from yourself.

Hold them in God’s love.

Say quietly:

“Draw us together.”

 

Daily Lent Devotions Revd Mark Robinson | Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson | Drawing All People

 

Hope that Refuses to Die

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3 NIV)

Apostle Peter assures us that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are re-born into a living hope, hope that refuses to die. What a marvellous gift!

Hope that refuses to die is that hope which Apostle Paul speaks of when he wrote,

Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory. And we are also happy with the troubles we have. Why are we happy with troubles? Because we know that these troubles make us more patient. And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope. And this hope will never disappoint us. We know this because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit he gave us. (Romans 5:2-5 ERV)

It is that hope that motivates us even in challenging times; that hope is the driving force.

Hope that refuses to die gives us the strength to carry on and to not give up. It is that hope that empowers us to believe that things don’t remain the same, that change is possible and miracles happen.

Job in all his suffering does not condemn hope but clings to it…

“My days pass by faster than a weaver’s shuttle, and my life will end without hope. (Job 7:6 ERV)

He believed that without hope his life would end – that is hope that refuses to die.

Apostle Paul cites Abraham as having that same hope when he wrote,

In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” (Romans 4:18 ESV)

And in 1 Corinthians 13:13 he says that hope together with faith and love is an essential characteristic of the Christian

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love

This hope of which Paul speaks isn’t the misplaced hope that cultivates false hope on which we too often rely, this hope isn’t just confined to mere expectation and desire but includes trust, confidence and refuge in the God of hope.

For it was by hope that we were saved; but if we see what we hope for, then it is not really hope. For who of us hopes for something we see? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:24-25 GNT)

The hope that refuses to die is a desirable attribute of human life which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27 NIV).

Christ Jesus, who is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1 NASB) is hope that refuses to die.

Beloved, hope that refuses to die isn’t placed in human beings, not even in great leaders, for they fail us and disappoint us (ref. Psalm 118:8-9; 146:3-4; Jeremiah 17:5-6). It is far better to hope in God, for that is hope that will never die, that is hope that refuses to die.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Hope that Refuses to Die” ©2026 March 26, 2026

Something Stinketh

 

The Gospel of John chapter eleven tells us the story of Jesus’ good friends, sisters Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus, who had fallen gravely ill.

The sisters sent Jesus a message letting Him know of their brother’s condition, but He did not come right away; as a matter of fact, we are told in verse six that Jesus stayed where he was for the next two days

Sadly, before Jesus even made a move to leave where He was, Lazarus died.

When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. – John 11:17 (NLT)

Martha, upon hearing that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him just outside the village. She expressed her belief that if Jesus had been here, her brother would still be alive, but Jesus assured her, “Your brother will rise again.” (v 23).

Jesus was taken to His friend’s tomb.

a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. – John 11:38-39a (NLT)

But Martha protested, saying to Jesus, by this time he stinketh (v 39b KJV).

You’ve prayed, wanting immediate relief, you’ve cried out to Jesus asking Him to come, but He doesn’t. One day goes by, you pray; two days go by, you pray, three days, then four, and maybe it’s been years and your situation hasn’t got any better.

By now, something stinketh.

If you’re honest, oftentimes you behave just like Martha does in this story, where you’d prefer to keep some things hidden in a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. Things in your life that you don’t want to come out or be exposed because they stinketh.

Something that you really need to address but have buried deep within because you’d rather not deal with it.

You’d prefer not to face a certain person to have that difficult conversation so you avoid them like the plague.

You’d rather not come to terms with the grief that you’re feeling so you’ve buried it along with your loved one.

You don’t want to deal with the hurt and the disappointment and the anger and the bitterness that is ravaging your soul.

You want to tuck it all away somewhere and never bring it up or out.

You just think it best to leave it where it is, to not roll the stone aside because you can’t handle the stench.

Beloved, you can’t continue to avoid those things you don’t want to face. Something stinketh but if you are to heal, the stone must be removed. Yes, you’ve prayed but Jesus did not act and you don’t understand why.

Beloved, there are times when you pray, then you sit still and wait and there are other times when you have to act, when you must be an active participant in your restoration.

You pray and you move. You pray and you step into your situation. You pray and you make that call. You pray and you go to a grief counsellor. You pray and you visit the doctor. You pray and you remove the stone and let the stink come out.

Notice, Jesus did not remove the stone from the entrance to Lazarus’ tomb Himself, He told the people to move it, to roll it aside. They participated in the miracle. Jesus allowed them to got involved.

When something stinketh, Jesus allows you to get involved in its removal. You can’t keep avoiding it. You must participate for things to activate.

Beloved, Jesus is waiting for you to move, before He resurrects the dead areas of your life, before He calls forth the miracle.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Something Stinketh” ©2026 March 24, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Sullied Reputation

 

Has anyone ever tried to tarnish or succeeded in tarnishing your character?

Many years ago, I fell ill and was away from work for a period of time. I was so sick that I could hardly get out of bed but one afternoon I received a visitor. One of the guys from my office had come to check up on me. How nice of him, right?

So, I forced my weakened self out of bed and into the living room where he was seated on a couch. I sat on a single chair. The visit was brief, as he could clearly see that I could barely hold myself upright. After just a few minutes, he left and I went back to bed.

Recovered, I went back out to work, only to hear that this same guy who had come to see me during my illness had told everyone in the office that he had come into my bedroom, stayed for quite some time talking and we eventually kissed. Why?

I confronted him in the lunchroom in front of several co-workers; he had no choice but to fess up and apologize for lying.

Mary Magdalene never got the opportunity to confront Pope Gregory the Great who gave her a sullied reputation. He tarnished her character and besmirched her good name by identifying her as a woman living a sinful lifestyle.

Since the year 591CE, this lie has followed Mary, clung to her character, as generations of Christians have believed the men of God who, over the years, have perpetuated this misidentification of a great apostle of Jesus Christ.

John 8:3 (ISV) reads, “the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery”

Luke 7:37 (AMP) reads, “Now there was a woman in the city who was [known as] a sinner”

With a footnote that defines “sinner” as “an immoral woman or prostitute”

Then 13 verses later, in Luke 8:1-2 (NLT), we read,

“Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons”

This pope, the great Gregory (how ironic), took the liberty to give a name to two unnamed women mentioned in two separate Gospel accounts. By knitting these two sinners together into one, he succeeded in giving Mary Magdalene a sullied reputation. Why?

Perhaps Pope Gregory was emphasizing one’s utter need to repent by creating this picture of repentance and forgiveness of such a sin-filled sinner. His interpretation or manipulation of Mary’s story took root and grew into a redemption arc that is still preached to this day.

Beloved, there is no need to lie to enhance your story or anyone else’s. Maybe the pope’s intentions were good, but his good intentions sullied a good woman’s image for thousands of years. It is 2026, Pope Gregory said what he said in the year 591, calculate that.

Remember, it is the Holy Spirit of God Who interprets the Word of God (ref. John 16:13), so consult Him before you make any pronouncements concerning His Word. Do not take it upon yourself to come up with your own interpretations or manipulate the Word in any way, as this will have far reaching consequences, like enduring years of a sullied reputation, it just might be your own.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “A Sullied Reputation” ©2026 March 24, 2026

 

Rest and Restoration

 

Scripture: Matthew 11:28–29

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Reflection

At this time it is important to make space for restoration as well as repentance. God calls weary people into rest that renews strength and restores hope. Faith grows through trust in God’s sustaining presence. God offers rest that prepares people to live with courage, compassion, and endurance. Lent reminds communities that renewal is part of God’s ongoing work of making life whole.

 Prayer

God of rest and renewal,

Hold me in your peace.

Calm what is anxious within me.

Restore what has been worn down.

 Prepare me to live with strength and grace

In service of your love ~ Amen.

Invitation

Sit in stillness for a moment.

 Notice your breathing.

Say quietly:

“God, restore my soul.”

 

Daily Lent Devotions Revd Mark Robinson | Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson | Rest and Restoration