JESUS' TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM
(From Bethany to Jerusalem and back, Sunday, April 2, A. D. 30.)
MATT. 21: 1-12, 14-17
MARK 11: 1-11
LUKE 19:29-44
JOHN 12:12-19
My summary:
Jesus directs his disciples to get an ass from a certain place and bring it to him. They follow his directions precisely and throw their cloaks on the donkey (who has never been ridden, so has no saddle). Christ rides into Jerusalem on the donkey and the common people throw their cloaks and palm branches on the ground before his path. The crowds are shouting "Hosannah in the Highest" which traces back to Psalm 8 and means "God save!" The vocal supporters are probably from Lazarus' resurrection the week before, and the religious leaders are insulted and threatened by this reaction from the crowd. In Luke, they tell Jesus to quiet them, and he says that the rocks would cry out if they were quiet. This is the day before Passover begins, and in Mark, Jesus goes up to the temple and takes it all in. In Luke, he weeps over the city, seeing into the future when they will be overthrown and beaten down, wishing that they could recognize what is before their eyes today.
 |
| The Procession in the Streets of Jerusalem, James Tissot, 1886-1894 |
This is the only instance in which Jesus rode. He entered in meekness, for the ass was a symbol of peace as the horse was of war.-Fourfold
"But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you." Luke 19:41-44
No comments:
Post a Comment