Triumphant Entry

Totally SPECTACULAR! Wow, was that trip into Jerusalem truly amazing or what? All those hundreds if not thousands of people lining the roads and throwing their coats down before Jesus. I thought they only did that when they welcomed a new king! To give Jesus that recognition and honor was truly spectacular. Oh, did I mention the shouting? The sound was deafening at times. Yelling Hosanna, our salvation is here, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest at the top of their lungs! Such jubilation, I have never seen that type of intensity of complete jubilation and enthusiasm for anyone ever. Our Messiah has come!

I know everyone is in a frenzied pace right now trying to get their Passover lambs up to Jerusalem, preparing for Passover and yet when people heard about Jesus coming into Jerusalem they all rushed to see him. Watching him ride the donkey which is usually reserved for royalty and observing the people shouting, throwing their coats down and then throwing down Palm leaves was a memory I won't soon forget. The only "downer" was again the Pharisees yelling at Jesus to have him rebuke everyone who was shouting for him. I loved it when he told them that even if everyone was quiet still the rocks would cry out! Hallelujah! You tell them Jesus:)

However, what really stunned me and I'm still puzzled by it was seeing Jesus weeping. Why was He so sad? Why was he inconsolable for that time today? I'm not sure I quite understand that yet. Could it be he was driven to such depth of emotion because he was finally recognized to be the King of Israel? Could it be possibly that he saw that they wanted him to be their King for their physical well being but not their spiritual well being? That he saw that even though their mouths praised him their hearts were very far from him and he knew that? It broke my heart to see him so broken up today.

Jesus never ceases to amaze me even after that "wild" trip into Jerusalem, he still got to work up at the temple! Cleaning up the riff-raff that had made it's way into God's house and telling them, "My house is a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!" He doesn't put up with that one bit. Hates it in fact! They ought to know better.

We are heading back to Bethany again tonight - good thing it's only a couple of miles down the road. I love the trip to the town though going by the Mount of Olives is one of my favorites. I love that place - it has so many special memories being with Jesus and all of us up there. Listening to him teach and hearing him pray. If those trees could talk, the tales they could tell!

I am down on my knees thanking God for what wonderful disciples/friends I have been given the opportunity to spend time with learning from our amazing Lord. See you in Bethany later tonight!