Jesus Brings “Good Trouble” to Jerusalem

Scripture Reading

Zechariah 9:9-10 (NRSVUE)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!, Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Introductory Remarks:

On this 6th Sunday of Lent, known as Palm Sunday, Jesus invites us to join him in stirring up some ‘Good Trouble’ in Jerusalem.

To be like Jesus is to be willing to ‘ride your donkey’ (exhibit spiritual mastery & authority) even if it stirs up some ‘good trouble’ or ‘necessary trouble’ in your life, world, or affairs.

Like Jesus, we must know that it is the Spirit of God in us that does the work. Knowing this, our soul sings ‘Hosanna’ as “our thoughts pay tribute to the Christ within, and the universe says ‘Amen.’” A Closer Walk With Jesus, pg. 161

Major Points of the Lesson:

1. ‘Good Trouble’ or ‘Necessary Trouble’ is a term coined by U.S. Congressman John Lewis, an active participant in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement along with Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Lewis. He later became a U.S. Congressman and left a legacy that asked people around the world to stir up ‘Good Trouble’ or ‘Necessary Trouble’ in the face of injustice.

2. Jesus’ legacy of stirring up ‘Good Trouble’ is unmatched. His ride into Jerusalem on the day we call Palm Sunday set off a week of violence that affected him directly, and others indirectly. To his credit, he did not encourage the violence that arose from his actions.

3. Jesus’ motivation for his donkey ride into Jerusalem is based on his scripture, specifically Zechariah 9:9-11. His vision of triumph, victory, humility, peace, and God’s dominion was his motivation to act and not revenge for the structural systems of violence imposed against him and the Jewish people.

TASK:
In complete privacy, list the ways in which your thoughts and feelings have become more like those of Jesus as you have walked with him this season. Give thanks for each step you have taken on the path and are planning to take.

ASSIGNMENT:
Pages 149-175, A Closer Walk With Jesus (UFBL); 40 Days of Letting Go, Lent 2023, pgs. 57-63; Daily Inspiration (UFBL);