Daughter, Do Not Be Afraid

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!” John 12:9-19

Daughter, Do Not Be Afraid

O God who knows our hearts and minds

we live in troubled and anxious times

folks are aching for quick solutions

when we need a deep change of heart.

You rode into Jerusalem during festival

honored like a king by average folks

within days they had turned against you

and screamed with joy for your crucifixion.

Help us to examine the depths of our hearts

diving past the tangles of cloying fear

into the peaceful and joyful center of love

where hope can be reborn even in these times.

Make us prayerful, peaceful and ready to serve

help us set aside pride, greed and selfishness

give us eyes that see the critical needs around us

and give us hearts ready to reach out in love. Amen.