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In the days preceding His death and resurrection,
Jesus went from town to town—teaching, healing,
and performing miracles. As He prepared to journey to
Jerusalem, He sent two of His disciples ahead and told
them, '"Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you
enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one
has ever sat. Untie it and bring it'" (Mark 11:2, CSB).
"They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes
on it, and he sat on it. Many people spread their clothes
on the road, and others spread leafy branches cut
from the fields. Those who went ahead and those who
followed shouted: 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord!'" (Mark 11:7-9, CSB).
The shouts of hosanna faded quickly into cries of
mockery and scorn. The chief priests, scribes, and elders
had become threatened by Jesus' authority and were
outraged by His claim to be the Messiah. They placed
Him on trial for blasphemy and left His sentencing in the
hands of a jeering mob of onlookers. Misunderstood,
rejected, and despised, Jesus humbly accepted the
wrongful sentence of crucifixion and laid down His life as
propitiation for the sins of all mankind. Selflessly, Christ
embraced cruel punishment and shed drops of atoning
blood for you and for me. His final mortal breath brought
complete (music begins) forgiveness and redemption.
Because of the cross of Calvary, death was defeated and
victory was ours—once and for all eternity.
N A R R AT I O N 1
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