On this Palm Sunday, we explore the lives and environment surrounding Jesus in the week leading to the Crucifixion. The confusion of his disciples when Jesus asks them to go get a donkey. The welcoming crowd then turning later to shout “Crucify him!” The irony later pointed out where a convicted murderer was set free and Jesus was executed. That the life taker was chosen over the life giver. When the leaders were coming against Jesus, children were calling out his name.
Confusion. Ignorance. Lying. Two thousand years ago the people of this world see very much like the people of today.
So Jesus tells his disciples to go take a donkey. He then fulfills prophesy of riding a donkey into Jerusalem. That the people would know that he is was the King and Messiah. And the crowd engaged and welcomed Jesus and cried out. Some asked who was this who people were getting excited about. But nothing like this had happened before. Zachariah hundreds of years prior spoke of that moment. That Jesus is Lord, now and forever!
21:1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (ESV)