The truth is that this is not just a parade. So Jesus was setting himself up for blasphemy charges for claiming that he WAS the Messiah. He was entering through the East gate, the gate through which the prophets had long ago proclaimed the Messiah would enter. You see, Jesus was already setting himself up for accusation. We look at the palm branches and we ignore the heavy gate just up ahead. And so we wave our palm branches and try to pretend that we are oblivious to all that comes next. It was Jesus’ grand procession (or something like it) as he entered the city. Since my childhood, I have been waving palm branches on Palm Sunday morning, shouting “Hosanna”, and reenacting that first century parade with Jesus riding on that donkey. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her untie them and bring them to me. Scripture Text: Matthew 21: 1-11 (Palm A)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |