The story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem is a reminder that His life represents a call to change the way we live our life. It is the story of our greatest friend entering our life as a lowly servant, riding a donkey, not a prancing stallion, no finely woven royal robes, but simply attired in the clothes of a humble human person.
The Saviour comes to us not to conquer by force but to draw us to His side through His love, grace, and mercy for all who embrace His call to...follow Him.
The crowds that followed Jesus into Jerusalem shouted "hosanna"... a plea for salvation...for Jesus's followers had recognised Jesus as the promised Messiah...“Son of David.”
Hosanna can be interpreted as “I beg you to save!” or “please deliver us!” The crowd's cry for salvation identified Jesus as The Messiah per The Isaiah prophecies.
Following His entry into Jerusalem Jesus was in the temple, with children shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:15). The chief priests and the teachers of the Law were visibly annoyed by the crowd's enthusiasm. “‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, “From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise”’?” (Matthew 21:16)
Later in the week Jesus would be arrested and brought before The Sanhedrin to face its hostile response. Handing Jesus over to the Roman procurator would result in Pontius Pilate finding no case against Jesus. (Matthew 27)
Pope Emeritus Benedict XV1 observes that the crowd that followed Jesus into Jerusalem, and the crowd that demanded the release of Barabbas, and the crucifying of Jesus...were not the same people.
I quote the words of Benedict XV1:
All three Synoptic Gospels, as well as Saint John, make it very clear that the scene of Messianic homage to Jesus was played out on his entry into the city and that those taking part were not the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but the crowds who accompanied Jesus and entered the Holy City with him.
This point is made most clearly in Matthew’s account through the passage immediately following the Hosanna to Jesus, Son of David: “When he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying: Who is this? And the crowds said: This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee” (Mt 21:10–11). . . .
People had heard of the prophet from Nazareth, but he did not appear to have any importance for Jerusalem, and the people there did not know him.
The crowd that paid homage to Jesus at the gateway to the city was not the same crowd that later demanded his crucifixion.
One of the many lessons that we can learn from the Palm Sunday celebration is Jesus' awareness that within one week those Jews who represented the highest authority in Judaism would coerce the Roman procurator to execute Jesus, out of fear that He was threatening their seat of power (The Sanhedrin) among the people of Israel.
end
Responses
« Back to index | View thread »