Jesus comes into Jerusalem for the last time
(From the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19, verses 29-40)
A week before he died, Jesus and his friends headed to Jerusalem. When they got to the outskirts of a village near the holy city, they stopped to rest. "Go into the village," Jesus told two of his friends. "There you will find a donkey tied to a post. Bring it to me."
Jesus' friends asked him, "And if the donkey's owner wants to know what we're doing, what should we say?"
He replied, "Just tell him that I need it."
Jesus' two friends did as he had asked. They went into the village and there they found a donkey tied to a post. While they were getting ready to bring the animal to Jesus, its owner came out of his house.
"Why are you taking my donkey?" he asked them.
"We are Jesus' friends. The Master has asked us to bring your donkey to him," they replied. The donkey's owner had heard of Jesus. He gave them permission to take the animal to him.
Word spread quickly in the village and among those traveling on the road to Jerusalem that Jesus was coming. People began to gather along the side of the road. Soon he appeared, riding on the donkey.
"Look! There he is!" someone shouted. "It's Jesus!"
People began to call out to Jesus. "Jesus!" "We love you, Jesus!" "God bless you, Jesus!" They clapped and cheered for him. A few people ran to cut down branches from nearby trees and started waving them in the air, like big banners. Other people took off their cloaks and laid them on the road before Jesus. Pretty soon the road to Jerusalem looked like a huge patchwork quilt, full of color.
The excitement grew until finally people began shouting, "Blessed is Jesus, the one who comes in the name of God!"
"Hosanna! Hooray for Jesus!"
"Peace in heaven!"
"Glory in the highest heaven!"
"We love you Jesus!"
This wasn't the first time that folks had gathered along the side of the road to watch someone important travel into Jerusalem. Many rich and powerful people came to Jerusalem to work or to meet with the Roman or Jewish leaders. Usually these important people, however, were dressed in beautiful robes and rode on the backs of magnificent horses, or they traveled in fancy carriages. These important people often traveled with a large group of helpers who made a big fuss over them.
But Jesus was different. He was dressed in a simple tunic. He rode on the back of an ordinary work animal. And his friends were just like him - poor and working class.
But the people who shouted and waved to Jesus that day knew that he had great power, too - not the power that comes from having lots of money or from having an important job. Jesus' power came from being very close to God. And that was worth cheering about!
Questions to ponder:
I wonder if you have ever been in a crowd and seen someone important pass by.
I wonder what you would have shouted to Jesus if you had been there that day.
I wonder how the donkey, felt carrying Jesus.
I wonder how being very close to God can make you powerful.