Through The Bible in a Year - July 8, 2026

"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem... Jesus sent two disciples... The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them... And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!'" - Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus knew exactly what was waiting for Him in Jerusalem. He had already told His disciples plainly: "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death, deliver Him to the Gentiles, mock Him, spit on Him, flog Him, and kill Him. And on the third day He will rise."

He rode toward His own prophecy. He knew the mocking, the spitting, the flogging, the cross were all ahead. He could see Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives as He rode toward the city. He could see the temple. He knew what would happen inside its walls within the week. He also knew what would happen on a cross outside the city walls in that same week.

And still He rode on.

We call Jesus’ final journey into Jerusalem his “Triumphal Entry.” It had been a long road to that “triumph.” He was born in a lowly manger, had to flee to Egypt to escape his own religion’s leaders, was raised in the tiny town of Nazareth – whose people would later try to kill Him, never received the respect of religious leaders, and was crucified by Roman soldiers.

Why did Jesus endure all of this suffering? Because He was coming to share his heart with us.

"Jesus was relentless in His pursuit of us so that we would have no hesitation in seeking and serving Him."

Think about what that relentlessness journey cost Jesus. From the foundations of the world, He was the Lamb set apart for slaughter. From the moment He entered human history, He was moving toward the cross. Every step of His ministry was a step toward Calvary—and He took every step willingly, with full knowledge, with eyes open, because He was coming to provide the grace we need through the suffering He did not deserve.

His sacrifice was offered not because we were worthy, but because we were in need. His provision came not because we had lived well enough or believed hard enough, but because His heart was determined to claim us. He was relentless, unwilling to let us go.

Respond: What has made you hesitant to come to Jesus? What failure, what weakness, what shame, what persistent sin has made you think He wouldn't want you?

He rode into the jaws of His own prophecy—knowing the cross was waiting—because He was coming for you. He claimed the territory of your pain, your shame, your sin, and your weakness by entering into it Himself. Nothing in your life surprises Him. Nothing in your life will turn Him away.

This week let Christ’s relentless love for you stop you from hesitating to follow Him. Confess your sin, acknowledge your unworthiness, and trust in the One who rode relentlessly toward you so that you could rest in his pardon and peace.

He came after you so relentlessly because He wants you. Go to Him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You rode on knowing everything—the mocking, the spitting, the cross. You rode on knowing everything about me too—every failure, every weakness, every sin before and after I claimed You. And still You rode on. You were relentless in Your pursuit of me so that I would have no hesitation in seeking You. So here I am—no hesitation, no pretense. I confess my sin. I confess my unworthiness. I trust in the One who rode toward the cross for my sake. Though trials should come, though Satan should buffet, let this blessed assurance control: it is well with my soul because Jesus claimed me – even me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.