Date

"He went out to Bethany with the twelve," Mark 11:11.

Question: Where was Jesus' secret retreat after teaching the crowds all day long in Jerusalem? Answer: Bethany, a couple miles away. Why secret? because religious authorities wanted to kill him (but only when nobody was looking). They needed a spy to let them know where he was when the throngs weren't around. And Jesus wasn't ready to be caught. Yet. He still had lots to teach. He really, really wanted to share Passover with his friends first. And that wasn't until Thursday but today's Sunday. Lining up all the events for human redemption didn't come easy. A date with the cross was no accident.

When we visit with a brother or sister today, we wonder about our God who really, really loves us so. And grateful along with the crowds we praise him: Hosanna!