A Morning Cup of Tea: Jesus Rides into Town on a Colt

Good morning! We are beginning Mark chapter 11 today. 
  Jesus and his disciples were near Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of the disciples and told them where they would find a colt tied up. They were to take the colt, and if anyone tried to stop them they were to say that the master needed him, and they would be allowed to take him. It was just as he said. The colt was brought to Jesus, and they laid clothes on the animal's back, and Jesus sat on him and was led into town. People along the way threw clothes on the path, and others cut tree branches and laid them out. The people all shouted Hosanna! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that comethin in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. (verses9 and 10).
  This is just a few days before the Passover, and ultimately, the crucifixion. How different the crowd is now, from the one who will be soon crying Crucify Him! Most of the people, it seemed, knew of Jesus and loved him. As we will find later, it is the chief priests and scribes who want to do away with him. That shows us how a few can influence many.
   We must be ever vigilant in monitoring who or what influences our choices. While we ourselves have to make the decision to do good or to do wrong, the people we are with can hold sway on some of those decisions if we are not careful. If we go along with the crowd, and gossip about someone, although we know better, it is still our wrong doing. We could have chosen to say Stop. I know Sally and it is not right to talk behind her back like this. We could have chosen to leave. But if we stay and participate  (even if you do not say a word, its still wrong) we are just as guilty as the others there.

Good morning! We are beginning Mark chapter 11 today. 
  Jesus and his disciples were near Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of the disciples and told them where they would find a colt tied up. They were to take the colt, and if anyone tried to stop them they were to say that the master needed him, and they would be allowed to take him. It was just as he said. The colt was brought to Jesus, and they laid clothes on the animal's back, and Jesus sat on him and was led into town. People along the way threw clothes on the path, and others cut tree branches and laid them out. The people all shouted Hosanna! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that comethin in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. (verses9 and 10).
  This is just a few days before the Passover, and ultimately, the crucifixion. How different the crowd is now, from the one who will be soon crying Crucify Him! Most of the people, it seemed, knew of Jesus and loved him. As we will find later, it is the chief priests and scribes who want to do away with him. That shows us how a few can influence many.
   We must be ever vigilant in monitoring who or what influences our choices. While we ourselves have to make the decision to do good or to do wrong, the people we are with can hold sway on some of those decisions if we are not careful. If we go along with the crowd, and gossip about someone, although we know better, it is still our wrong doing. We could have chosen to say Stop. I know Sally and it is not right to talk behind her back like this. We could have chosen to leave. But if we stay and participate  (even if you do not say a word, its still wrong) we are just as guilty as the others there.