Hosanna to the Son of David!

 

 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her.  Loose them and bring them to Me.  And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."  All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

    "Tell the daughter of Zion,

    'Behold, your King is coming to you,

    Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,

    A colt, the foal of a donkey.'"

 

So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.  They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.  And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  

 

Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

    "Hosanna to the Son of David!

    'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'

    Hosanna in the highest!"

And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?"  So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."

 

- Matthew 21:1-11 

 

On Saturday we read that, as Jesus and the disciples went out of Jericho, on the road toward Jerusalem, a great multitude followed Him.  And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"  Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"  So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."  So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes.  And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.  

 

 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her.  Loose them and bring them to Me.  And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."  All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:  "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"  Today's reading describes what is known as Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.  We celebrate this event in the Church on Palm Sunday.  My study Bible explains that by Christ's time, Jewish nationalism had led to the expectation of a political Messiah to deliver them from Roman control, and to reestablish the kingdom of David.  (Hence, the name used by the blind men in yesterday's reading, above, for Christ as Deliverer, "Son of David.")   But, in humility, Jesus explicitly shows -- and through careful direction to the disciples -- that He has not come to establish an earthly kingdom.  He doesn't ride on a horse or a chariot, signs of a king's power, but rather on a donkey, which is a sign of humility and peace (Zechariah 9:9; see also Isaiah 62:11).  My study Bible also tells us that this entrance into the Holy City declares the establishment of the Kingdom of God. Moreover, it is a promise of Christ's final entrance into the heavenly Jerusalem with all believers and of His accepting the New Jerusalem as His pure Bride (Revelation 21:2).   Matthew's gospel reports also a colt as well as a donkey.  In patristic literature, the two animals are seen as representing the faithful Jews and the Gentiles who are brought together in the Kingdom.  

So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.  They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  My study Bible comments that the people spread their clothes before Jesus as paying reverence to a King.  Spiritually this is interpreted as our need to lay down our flesh, even our lives, for Christ.  

Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:  "Hosanna to the Son of David!  'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'  Hosanna in the highest!"  And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?"  So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."  The cry of the multitudes comes from Psalm 118:25-26, which was associated with messianic expectation.  At the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), also known as the Feast of the Coming Kingdom, it was recited daily for six days and seven times on the seventh day as branches were waved.  Hosanna means, "Save, we pray!"

The people cry Hosanna, meaning "Save, we pray!" as my study Bible's final note indicates.  Let us consider what this means for us, exactly.  Effectively, the people cry out for a Messiah, and one of their own expectations.  But they will get a very different Messiah in Jesus from the one of popular expectation.  As they cry out, Hosanna, desiring a deliverer from the Romans, they will get a Savior of a different kind, with salvation front and center as the message of this King.  Jesus' entrance into the Holy City is this first step in what we call Holy Week, indicating what it means to truly save, and the beginning of this final week of His life which will culminate in the saving act of His Passion, death, and Resurrection.  It is, essentially, an expression of the need to understand not only earthly realities, but the power of heavenly reality intervening, shaping, and transfiguring what we experience of our world and our understanding of ourselves in our place in Creation.  Christ's entrance into Jerusalem parallels and transfigures, as my study Bible indicates, by affirming His entry into the heavenly Jerusalem with all believers as the culmination of the salvation of the cosmos, the Creation.  We can't really understand this unless we accept that salvation comes not from war on material terms but from the spiritual power of Christ to save and to heal through faith, and to bring us into that communion of His Church, His Bride.  When we think of this communion, also understood as the Body of Christ, we should think about not only our fellow worshipers whom we know and see, but that entire communion of the faithful which includes the saints of past, present, and future, and even the spiritual beings such as angels of every kind, who worship and recognize Christ as Savior.  For this entrance into what is known as the Holy City, the earthly Jerusalem, serves as initiation for the fullness of what it means to save, and even the fullness of what is to be saved -- not just individual human believers, but an entire Creation that awaits the Savior.  St. Paul affirms this for us when he writes, "For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now" (Romans 8:22).  St. Paul sees in our salvation -- even in whatever present difficulties we find ourselves through our faith -- the glory of this complete salvation to be revealed.  And this is the fullness that Christ brings to the world, for all that He does is transfiguring, adding dimension to our understanding.  Perhaps the greatest, most astonishing transfiguration of all is the Cross itself -- the horrible instrument of cruelly punishing death becomes the means for salvation for all, "trampling death by death" in the words of the Orthodox Paschal hymn.  Let us begin this journey into Jerusalem with the humble Christ, the Savior, whose means of changing and challenging and shaking the pillars of this world starts with faith.

 

 

And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple

 

 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, "Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat.  Loose it and bring it.  And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it,' and immediately he will send it here."  So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.  But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?"  And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded.  So they let them go.  Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.  And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

"Hosanna!  

'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'

Blessed is the kingdom of our father David

That comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!"

And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple.  So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

 

- Mark 11:1-11 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus and the disciples came to Jericho, on the road toward Jerusalem.  As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.  And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.  Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer.  Rise, He is calling you."  And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.  So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well."  And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, "Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat.  Loose it and bring it.  And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it,' and immediately he will send it here."  So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.  But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?"  And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded.  So they let them go.  As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, He instructs the two disciples to prepare for what is understood as Christ's Triumphal Entry into the holy city.  The colt is a young donkey, never before ridden (on which no one has sat).  It is an animal symbolic of peace and humility, and contrasted with a conquering king who would enter with full military and chariots drawn by horses.  As the text shows, Jesus clearly picks this animal for a specific purpose.

Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.  And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  Christ's followers welcome Him to Jerusalem.  My study Bible tells us that the people who spread their clothes before Jesus do so as paying reverence to a King.  This is spiritually interpreted as our need to lay down our flesh, even our lives, for Christ.  The leafy branches are related to the Feast of Tabernacles (also known as the Feast of the Coming Kingdom; see the following verses and comment).

Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:  "Hosanna!  'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'  Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!"  The cry of the people comes from Psalm 118:25-26, which was associated with messianic expectation and the coming of the Kingdom.  It was recited daily for six days during the Feast of Tabernacles -- and seven times on the seventh day as branches were waved.  Hosanna means, "Save, we pray!"

And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple.  So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.  Jesus' first act shows a messianic intent -- He goes directly into the temple as He enters the city, and looked around at all things.

The events in today's reading are called Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is the holy city, the place of the great temple, and that is His first destination as He enters.  He clearly enters as Messiah and is welcomes as Messiah.  We celebrate this day in the Church as Palm Sunday, named for the branches that are waved and spread before Him as He enters.  There are many ways in which the Church thinks of this day and this event.  Christ comes into Jerusalem as the Bridegroom claiming His Bride, the holy city, the temple, and His people.  It is considered to be an event that mirrors the eventual union with the New Jerusalem, a cosmic event reflecting the risen Christ as Lord Almighty, an eternal "future" toward which we all look.  (See 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.)  We mustn't forget that the true mystical realities of Christ are always with us; they exist outside of time as we understand it.  Jesus' Triumphal Entry may mirror the fullness of a cosmic Kingdom, one that is not simply worldly or earthly, as my study Bible might put it.  We know the events that are coming in this final week of Christ's earthly life, and they will open us to the power of the Cross and Resurrection.  They will give us the fullness of God's love for us in Christ's willingness to suffer and die so that we are liberated through His life as Jesus.  Let us keep in mind that as Jesus draws into the city, riding on the donkey's colt, He knows full well what is going to happen, what He is coming into.  He has already warned the disciples three times of the Passion to come, and He comes willingly into the city and into the temple.  I wonder if we can understand the courage this takes, and draw upon the strength of Christ facing what He knows He must do, and on His faith and love and trust of the Father.  For it is here that we find ourselves at times:  knowing there are things we're called upon to do, sacrifices we might need to make in life, and drawing upon the strength of the faith Christ has given to us.  There are times we know we will be rejected or suffer for doing what must be done for a bigger picture:  dealing with the death of a loved one, or nursing an ill person, taking on responsibility for someone who can no longer be responsible for themselves, or helping one less fortunate because they are unable to help themselves.  There are times when it is our faith that becomes our strength, gives us capability for sacrifice, for enduring suffering even for others, and it is Christ upon whom we draw for our image of strength and faith, and our faith in the Resurrection to follow.  Those who lack such faith are lacking indeed in the fullness of what life can be for human beings, for Christ has shown us what we are capable of, the strength and greatness met in humility before the Cross and service to God who is love.  Let us remember this picture when we go through or own times of the Cross, even the moments of temporary celebration when we know something difficult is in front of us.  For it is here where we meet our Lord, our Messiah, and He goes into Jerusalem for us.  For we are His true Bride, His Church.  And He claims us and loves us even when no one else does (Psalm 27).

 

 

Hosanna! "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!

 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, "Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat.  Loose it and bring it.  And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it,' and immediately he will send it here."  So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.  But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?"  And they spoke to them as Jesus commanded.  So they let them go.  Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.  And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

"Hosanna!
'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!"

And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple.  So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

- Mark 1:1-11

Yesterday, we read that Jesus and the disciples to Jericho, on their way through to Jerusalem.  As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.  And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.  Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer.  Rise, He is calling you."  And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.  So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?"  The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well."  And immediately he receive his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

  Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, "Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat.  Loose it and bring it.  And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it,' and immediately he will send it here."  So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.  But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?"  And they spoke to them as Jesus commanded.  So they let them go.   Today's reading gives us the story of Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, which is celebrated by the Church on Palm Sunday (as the people used palm branches in welcome).  This is the entry into Jerusalem as Messiah, even as a king would be welcomed, "the Lord" as His disciples tell the people when they loose the donkey's colt.  At this time in Israel's history, nationalism ran very high in expectation of a liberating Messiah, one who would throw off the Roman occupation and rule as a king of Israel, more powerful than Caesar's forces.    It is in the face of such popular and hoped-for expectation that Jesus rides into Jerusalem -- but His specific preparation to the disciples is for a donkey's colt to ride in on, not a chariot nor a powerful horse.  Coming in from Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, was from the East, as the Messiah was expected to enter into Jerusalem.

 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.  And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.   Zechariah 9:9 declares,  “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your King is coming to you;  He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey."  The donkey is an animal signifying the humility of Christ, as opposed to the might of a great horse or chariot -- or accompanying army.  The people who spread their clothes on the road do so as paying reverence to a king.  My study bible says that this is spiritually interpreted as our need to lay down our flesh -- even our lives -- for Christ.  Spiritually, Christ rides into His Kingdom established in the world -- and the promise of the heavenly Jerusalem "with all believers and of His accepting the New Jerusalem as His pure Bride," says my study bible (see Revelation 21:2).

"Hosanna!  'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'  Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!"  And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple.  So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.  My study bible tells us that this cry of the people comes from Psalm 118, which was associated with messianic expectation.  It was recited daily at the Feast of Tabernacles (the Feast of the Coming Kingdom) for six days, and then seven times on the seventh day as branches were waved.  Hosanna means "Save, we pray!"  Jesus, of course, enters the temple as His first act in Jerusalem.  But, telling of the reality of this King and Kingdom, He goes to stay at Bethany on the Mount of Olives, with the other pilgrims who stay on the Mount of Olives for the Passover.  Bethany is also the home of His friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

Expectations have a strange way to trip us up in life.  Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is probably the most key example of the difference between our own expectations and the promises of God -- what it means to think and live in a way that is truly spiritual, in accordance with the understanding God gives us.  Our worldly expectations always seem to have to do with fame or notoriety, with great power and its effects in a purely material sense.  Naturally, the people of Israel were awaiting a deliverer, a political deliverer, a political liberator with military power and might.  But the holy Kingdom of God inaugurated in and represented by Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey is a far different entity from their expectations.  Despite His displays of holy power, His communication of great righteousness and healing, there is no triumphal entry of troops or of impressive military might.  There is nothing here to suggest a kind of victory that has to do with worldly kings and with emperors.  Jesus enters into Jerusalem on a donkey, truly portraying Himself as the humble servant, the human Jesus, the Son who came to be given to save the world -- and who will be the sacrifice for all on the Cross.  This is the "set-up" for what will be called foolishness to the Greeks or Gentiles, and a stumbling block to the Jews.  If we really follow Him, we may find that in our own lives such patterns may manifest themselves, "fooling" inadvertently, the expectations of others and even, indeed, our own expectations of what God has in mind for us.  Humility will always be emphasized in the life of service to this particular King, bringing us home to what He desires of us, to a heart that loves God without reservation.  In the life of that discipline, those "reservations" will always come to light for us to recognize and to discard in exchange for what God has in mind.  Sometimes we may find that victory doesn't look like what we thought it would, when the victory is in reality a contrite heart, a realization of our own limitations, and a great love of God we can't really explain in ways that suit others or reveal all there is to say within us.  Sometimes "victory" sneaks up on us, in a life that is unexpected, in a position of responsibility we didn't expect at all.  Sometimes victory comes with its price tag of envy and loss of those whom we considered our friends, and even our loved ones.  Whatever it is, God's gifts come in their own way, opening up new doors of understanding, deepening our relationship to what is good, disappointing "worldly" expectations but giving us a better and greater faith in the paradoxical way this Kingdom reveals its truths.  And, true to His word, a greater position requires a greater commitment to our own humility.  Are we there with Him?  Can we go the way forward?  Who can be prepared for what is to come at Jerusalem, for what is to come even after the Passover, and at Pentecost?

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:

"Hosanna!

'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'

The King of Israel!"

Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:

"Fear not, daughter of Zion;

Behold, 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 were written about Him, and that they had done these things to Him. Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"

- John 12:9-19

In yesterday's reading, we learned that Passover is near. This will be the third Passover in John's Gospel. Many went up to Jerusalem from the country before the Passover, to purify themselves. The leadership seeks Jesus to arrest Him. The chief priests and Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where Jesus was, they should report it so He can be seized. Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, to the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Bethany is about two miles East of Jerusalem. We've just read (in last week's readings) about the raising of Lazarus: see Wednesday's, Thursday's, and Friday's readings. In yesterday's reading, Jesus and His disciples came to their home and a supper was made; Martha served, and Lazarus was one who sat at table with them. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Judas, who will betray Jesus, said, "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" John tells us this was not because Judas cared for the poor, but because he kept the money box, and would take from it. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always." See The Extravagance of Love.

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. As Jesus comes to Bethany (in yesterday's reading), He begins the last week of His earthly ministry. He has spent the Saturday before Palm Sunday with His close friends, whom He loves. But now Lazarus is sought also by the authorities, because of this seventh and great final sign of Jesus' ministry, Lazarus' raising from the dead.

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him . . . Jesus comes into Jerusalem from the East, as prophesied of Messiah. My study bible notes that "earlier Jesus had come to Jerusalem in a hidden, private way. But now He enters the Holy City publicly."

. . . and cried out: "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' The King of Israel!" Hosanna means "Save now." The people are quoting here from Psalm 118. That the crowds welcome Him as King is certain to terrify the leadership for their places.

Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: "Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt." My study bible says, "Jesus' deliberate action of riding in on a donkey signifies He is the prophesied Messiah of peace (Zech. 9:9), for kings and military leaders rode on horses or in chariots. The Triumphal Entry marks a high point in Jesus' ministry as He brings His message to the Holy City and encounters the central authorities. This event is celebrated on Palm Sunday, an acclamation of the lordship of Christ as King of kings."

His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him, and that they had done these things to Him. The people respond, welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem, but here the Gospel tells us that even the disciples were baffled. That is, until Jesus was glorified. Here we have a hint of what is to come, the sending of the Spirit to lead the Church, and to illuminate history. Events are happening that draw Jesus' earthly ministry to a close. It's truly a movement of history as "crowds" are involved, the stage is set, and Jesus reveals Himself openly.

Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!" The seventh sign, the raising of Lazarus, has sealed Jesus' fate with the authorities. All the people go after Him, both those who witnessed what happened in Bethany at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, and the ones who have heard what happened there from those witnesses. In the leadership's eyes, their efforts have been futile. The world has gone after Him!

Today's reading speaks to us of great world events, "the world has gone after Him!" The crowds follow Christ and proclaim Him King, after the raising of Lazarus. The leadership is determined not only to rid themselves of Jesus, but also of Lazarus. Great movements of history are happening. But in the midst of it all, a terrible aloneness, and a sadness, that Jesus will be taken away from them in the flesh, that as a human being, He will die. We're left with so many conflicting images and feelings. It's a great paradox -- not the first, and not the last. Let us put ourselves in this scene. He is a hope for many. He has disciples who are loyal to Him. But there is the element of evil that afflicts our world, of envy, betrayal, deceit, a lie, all the things that poison our earthly lives. In the great economy of salvation, our Christ's incarnation in this world, He has been sent to overturn the power of affliction of this kind. Yet more paradox: by His death, He will be raised up as a sign of power over death, of overcoming the world. He will draw us to that Cross, in the hope of Resurrection, the things that give us life far beyond the afflictions of this world. The crowds gather around Him, but He knows where He's headed. He has warned the disciples often enough. How do you go toward that Cross? What meanings in life does it give you?

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them." All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

"Tell the daughter of Zion,

'Behold, your King is coming to you,

Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,

A colt, the foal of a donkey.' "

So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

"Hosanna to the Son of David!

'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'

Hosanna in the highest!"

And when he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."

- Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus enters into Jerusalem. He has prepared the way with his ministry, among Jews for "the lost sheep of the house of Israel," and also among the Gentiles who follow him in faith. He has prepared the disciples several times, telling them about what will happen to him in Jerusalem. My study bible has a long note on today's reading which I will repeat here: "The Triumphal Entry is celebrated by the Church on Palm Sunday. By Jesus' time, Jewish nationalism had begun to rise, leading to the expectation of a political Messiah. Jewish leaders looked for a national king who would deliver them from the Roman yoke and reestablish David's kingdom. Many Jews wanted a king like Jehu (2 Kin. 9), who shed much blood and who would not hesitate to use the sword for the realization of nationalistic dreams. Others, responding to the messianic signs of Jesus -- especially the raising of Lazarus (John 12:9-11) -- expected more. In humility, Jesus shows he has not come to reestablish the earthly kingdom of David. He does not ride in a chariot but upon a donkey, an animal of peace. This is no mere earthly king, but the King of Glory who has come to reveal the Kingdom of God. Thus, the Church sees the Son of God entering not the earthly Jerusalem only, but more importantly the celestial Jerusalem, to establish his reign and his Kingdom (see Mark 11:10; Luke 19:38). He is taking the New Jerusalem to himself as pure bride, and the children celebrate his entrance as if it were a marriage (v. 5)."

Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them. My study bible notes here, "Matthew reports a second animal, a colt, possibly symbolizing the Gentiles who will advance from infidelity to faith." It's interesting that here we find another instance of the "doubling" in Matthew that we have observed through this gospel. See yesterday's reading and commentary for more on this - That our eyes may be opened. My study bible hints at the possibility also that this doubling (in this particular instance) symbolizes the inclusion of the Gentiles in this plan of salvation, in the ministry of this King. I think I have to agree, that this sort of "doubling" gives us a picture of a dual ministry, all in one, in that Jesus is not just the Jewish Messiah, but the King for all people. He is both, and his salvation is for both, for all.

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.' " The scriptures are filled, as befits this picture of the Messiah who enters into Jerusalem. We remember that Matthew is writing primarily for a Jewish audience, from a Jewish perspective - but the doubling in his gospel shows that he cares to take pains to express this ministry to all, the Gentiles included. My study bible says (in the note I posted above in the first paragraph) that the Church holds this vision of Christ entering Jerusalem also in a sort of "double vision" - it's not just a picture of Jesus the man riding into Jerusalem and hailed as Messiah by the crowds. It's a picture also of the King entering the celestial Jerusalem - the one that is his bride, the new creation that is for all and "for the life of the world."

So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' Hosanna in the highest!" My study bible notes here: "As he enters Jerusalem, Jesus is hailed as Messiah with the words of Ps.118:25, 26. The people knew this psalm well. Associated with messianic expectation, it was recited daily for six days during the Feast of Tabernacles, and seven times on the seventh day as branches were waved. Hosanna means "Save [we] pray." We recall that the Feast of Tabernacles was the feast that celebrated the kingdom of heaven amongst us - and was referred to by Peter at the Transfiguration when he asked if they should build three tabernacles: one for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Jesus. This gives us a reaffirmation of the "double vision" of this event as viewed by the Church: we read of Jesus entering Jerusalem for his final days - but we see the King entering the New Jerusalem - the celestial Jerusalem - as well, going to his bride, the church that is for all people, for the world.

And when he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee. As we head into Jerusalem and the events that will follow, I think it is important to understand the great turmoil of this city, and the rumors that abound among the people. Everyone is filled with a great expectation; something is happening. All the city was moved. Everybody takes note. It is as if we are on a grand stage, where the whole world is watching what will unfold from here. And, indeed, in that vision of the celestial reality that approaches, we are all watching, and I daresay that we will always all be watching. "For the life of the world" Jesus continues his journey. "For the life of the world" we continue to witness what others have seen and heard, what we believe in faith and see with our hearts - what we have not seen, yet believe. Everyday in the life of the world we witness these events in this time at Jerusalem. We see Christ crucified in the sorrows of the world, in the failure to grasp for salvation in the message of love and mercy, in the times we let even ourselves down. Yet, just as in Jerusalem on this day we write and read about here, we are filled with hope, we read his words and are fulfilled, we live in expectation and we know that love and mercy. I find that Christ is not just a man for the Church, for we who call ourselves formally Christian, but truly for the life of the world. He is a figure that cuts not just across our denominations in the Church as a whole, but also across religions and cultures. I know many, also, disillusioned with the institution of the Church for one reason or another, and shame to those whose scandals cause this, yet who still love Christ as the refuge for their hopes and inspiration. In his march toward and into Jerusalem, we find our hope, we look for the beacon of leadership, in the humble man sitting on a colt, the foal of a donkey, who has taught us patience, endurance, love and mercy, and so much more. And we need him as much as ever in today's world.