Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Liberating Gospels Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)  Matthew 21:1-11 The Message The Royal Welcome 21 1-3 When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples with these instructions: "Go over to the village across from you. You'll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you're doing, say, 'The Master needs them!' He will send them with you." 4-5 This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet: Tell Zion's daughter, "Look, your king's on his way,     poised and ready, mounted On a donkey, on a colt,     foal of a pack animal." 6-9 The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. Crowds went ahead, and crowds followed, all of them calling out, "Hosanna to David's son!" "Blessed is he who comes in God's name!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" 10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, "What's going on here? Who is this?" 11 The parade crowd answered, "This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee." For Reflection Two processions entered Jerusalem on that spring day. One was a peasant procession, the other an imperial procession. Jesus rode a donkey as he entered from the east into Jerusalem. He was followed by a multitude of followers who expected Jesus to announce his kingdom. Pontius Pilate entered from the west on the opposite side of the city. He had a column of imperial cavalry and soldiers. While Jesus' possession proclaimed the kingdom of God, Pilate's proclaimed the power of the empire. The contrast between the two processions embodied the central theme of the Gospel, Peace by violent force vs. peace by nonviolent expressions of God's love. it was the imperial theology of Rome vs. the theology of peace and justice. Pilate ushered in a kingdom of domination, exploitation, and fear. Jesus inaugurated freedom in The Kingdom of God. Pray Pray and let the Holy Spirit guide your life. Pray and contemplate the notion that the only way we can have lasting peace, justice, prosperity, and security is to recognize the sovereignty of God and follow God's will as exemplified in the life and death of Jesus the Christ. Forward to a friend     Sign up to our list!