When Jesus rode into Jerusalem the week before Passover there was already a swirl of activity as people gathered from far and wide to prepare for the solemn feast in the Holy City. Three times a year the great city swelled to well beyond its capacity as every able Jewish man and his family made the trek to offer sacrifices and to worship at the great temple.
The overflow crowds built crude huts from branches and palm fronds and camped wherever they could find a place. They kindled fires and cooked basic foods kosher to the Passover season and attendant feast of unleavened bread. They renewed acquaintances and prepared sacrifices for slaughter at the temple.
There was an air of excitement and anticipation in the air. As people arrived, those already in town would greet them by waving palm fronds. Many of the so-called “Hallel Psalms” from Psalms 113-118 would be chanted. Passover served as a great family reunion.
There also were arrivals that were not-so-welcome. Every year the Roman governor Pilate, normally headquartered at Caesarea-Philippi, came to Jerusalem with a large cohort of Roman soldiers, just to remind everyone just who was boss. He wanted no trouble, and would do anything to put it down. Crosses were erected just outside town to let everyone know the Romans were ready and meant business.
Every year Zealots, from the north of Galilee, came to Jerusalem with a rag-tag troupe led by a messiah-figure, to try to rid the nation of the unwanted Romans and restore Israel to Zionists. Every year they would make a dramatic attempt, and every year they would be stopped by the Romans, and some of them would hang on a cross for their efforts. This year, one Jesus Barabbas led his motley crew of Galilean ruffians into town to try their hand at getting rid of the Romans.
It was into this swirl of confusion and anticipation that Jesus rode into town on a donkey in a very noticeable and conspicuous way. It is apparent Jesus didn’t want to merely slip into town unnoticed. He intended to attract attention.
While most pilgrims walked to Passover, Jesus stopped just outside town and requisitioned a donkey and rode into town in the same manner that Solomon rode to his coronation. His followers, many of whom had tagged along from Galilee, picked up branches and spread their clothes to honor and worship the arriving king.
Matthew wants to make sure we understand Jesus intends to announce the arrival of Messiah. Quoting from Zechariah 9:9, Matthew writes,
As Jesus arrived they begin to chant from Psalm 118 as usual, and then something amazing happened. An act of greeting became an act of worship, and a surreal experience of worship caught the entire city off guard.
Upon hearing of this commotion all the city was moved with an uneasiness. This kind of talk sounded like another messiah-figure bent on causing trouble like the other groups from Galilee. And while most Zealots moved in in stealth, Jesus was open and inviting controversy by inviting the praises of these followers from Galilee.
“Who is this?” they asked.
Good question, I think. When Jesus truly comes to town, I am convinced amazing things happen that turn the ordinary activities of a frenzied life into acts of awe-inspiring worship. We become aware that somehow Jesus is near. Confusion, chaos, and uneasiness in life give way to the greater awareness that Jesus is coming to bring make way for solutions and success.
Who is this? Jesus had spent a couple of years telling his disciples about a kingdom that would transcend everything they had ever known or experienced. He then spent a couple of months telling them it would be accessed by crossing the Sanhedrin and winding up on a Roman cross.
While Barrabas and company came to town to oppose the Romans, Jesus came to town to oppose the Sadducees and embarrass the Pharisees. Never mind the Romans, Jesus went straight to the unjust stewards of the kingdom and fired them from their stewardship.
Who is this? When he shows up he catches us off guard and things change. He comes straight for the heart of the matter, exposes hypocrisy, and puts us in our place.
I am praying for a time when Jesus will show up. When we will be doing one thing that suddenly shifts into something much greater and more profound, where we are caught off guard and moved to ask, with Saul of Tarsus, “Who is this?”
So let us join the host in Jerusalem this Palm Sunday, shouting, “Hosanna! Save us now! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
The overflow crowds built crude huts from branches and palm fronds and camped wherever they could find a place. They kindled fires and cooked basic foods kosher to the Passover season and attendant feast of unleavened bread. They renewed acquaintances and prepared sacrifices for slaughter at the temple.
There was an air of excitement and anticipation in the air. As people arrived, those already in town would greet them by waving palm fronds. Many of the so-called “Hallel Psalms” from Psalms 113-118 would be chanted. Passover served as a great family reunion.
There also were arrivals that were not-so-welcome. Every year the Roman governor Pilate, normally headquartered at Caesarea-Philippi, came to Jerusalem with a large cohort of Roman soldiers, just to remind everyone just who was boss. He wanted no trouble, and would do anything to put it down. Crosses were erected just outside town to let everyone know the Romans were ready and meant business.
Every year Zealots, from the north of Galilee, came to Jerusalem with a rag-tag troupe led by a messiah-figure, to try to rid the nation of the unwanted Romans and restore Israel to Zionists. Every year they would make a dramatic attempt, and every year they would be stopped by the Romans, and some of them would hang on a cross for their efforts. This year, one Jesus Barabbas led his motley crew of Galilean ruffians into town to try their hand at getting rid of the Romans.
It was into this swirl of confusion and anticipation that Jesus rode into town on a donkey in a very noticeable and conspicuous way. It is apparent Jesus didn’t want to merely slip into town unnoticed. He intended to attract attention.
While most pilgrims walked to Passover, Jesus stopped just outside town and requisitioned a donkey and rode into town in the same manner that Solomon rode to his coronation. His followers, many of whom had tagged along from Galilee, picked up branches and spread their clothes to honor and worship the arriving king.
Matthew wants to make sure we understand Jesus intends to announce the arrival of Messiah. Quoting from Zechariah 9:9, Matthew writes,
Hosanna to the Son of David!Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!Hosanna in the highest!
As Jesus arrived they begin to chant from Psalm 118 as usual, and then something amazing happened. An act of greeting became an act of worship, and a surreal experience of worship caught the entire city off guard.
Tell the daughter of Zion,Hosanna, of course, comes from the Hebrew rendering of two words: Save now. Salvation in Hebrew thought denotes make wide. It was a military term that indicated help when an army was outnumbered and backed against a corner, in a tight space. Salvation meant reinforcements to make room for advancement and success. In religious terms shouts of hosanna were calls for God’s help against adversaries – to defeat, safety, and victory. It also meant vindication.
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
lowly, and sitting on a donkey.’
Upon hearing of this commotion all the city was moved with an uneasiness. This kind of talk sounded like another messiah-figure bent on causing trouble like the other groups from Galilee. And while most Zealots moved in in stealth, Jesus was open and inviting controversy by inviting the praises of these followers from Galilee.
“Who is this?” they asked.
Good question, I think. When Jesus truly comes to town, I am convinced amazing things happen that turn the ordinary activities of a frenzied life into acts of awe-inspiring worship. We become aware that somehow Jesus is near. Confusion, chaos, and uneasiness in life give way to the greater awareness that Jesus is coming to bring make way for solutions and success.
Who is this? Jesus had spent a couple of years telling his disciples about a kingdom that would transcend everything they had ever known or experienced. He then spent a couple of months telling them it would be accessed by crossing the Sanhedrin and winding up on a Roman cross.
While Barrabas and company came to town to oppose the Romans, Jesus came to town to oppose the Sadducees and embarrass the Pharisees. Never mind the Romans, Jesus went straight to the unjust stewards of the kingdom and fired them from their stewardship.
Who is this? When he shows up he catches us off guard and things change. He comes straight for the heart of the matter, exposes hypocrisy, and puts us in our place.
I am praying for a time when Jesus will show up. When we will be doing one thing that suddenly shifts into something much greater and more profound, where we are caught off guard and moved to ask, with Saul of Tarsus, “Who is this?”
So let us join the host in Jerusalem this Palm Sunday, shouting, “Hosanna! Save us now! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP)Matthew 21:1-11 (Palm Sunday A 2014)
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