“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Zechariah 9: 9
The above was written about 550 years before the events of Jesus entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. Despite clear descriptions from the word of God, it seems we always get it wrong regarding the coming of Jesus. The Jews of old expected the Messiah to come riding on a white horse and conquering their enemies so they could rule the world. But He came quietly riding on a donkey in a small part of the word as predicted by the prophets. Today, many preachers think Jesus’ second coming will be quiet despite scripture’s teaching of a grand world-wide event seen by “every eye.” Revelation 1:7
(The following first-person account is based on the NIV version of John 12:1-19, John 11, Matthew 21:1-11, 26: 6-13, Mark 11:1-11, 14:3-9, Luke 7: 11-17, Luke 8: 40-56, Luke 19:28-40, and Luke 24)
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Six day before the Passover, Jesus asked me to take Cleopas and go to a small nearby village. There we would find a donkey and a colt tied up. Jesus told us to loosen the two animals and bring them back to Him. If anyone asks why we were taking them, we were to say, “the Lord has need of them.”
Looking back on the events of the last seven days, I understand more about the prophecies of the Tanakh (Old Testament), especially after Jesus gave Cleopas and me a Bible study on the Messianic prophecies as we walked towards Emmaus after the resurrection.
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The day before Jesus asked us to bring to him the donkey and its colt we were all staying in Bethany (just outside of Jerusalem) at the home of Martha and her brother Lazarus. It was odd to sit there at the table with a man who had been dead for four days! But there he was. I asked him what it was like and he said it was like a sleep where time movement was as a split second. I remember Jesus using the same word as we headed to Bethany to see Lazarus. He had told us,
“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.”
We thought this peculiar and told him it would “be good to let him sleep.” Then Jesus told us very bluntly,
” Lazarus is dead.“
So, I was not surprised that Lazarus had nothing to report about being dead other than being unconscious like a deep sleep where morning comes as soon as your head hits the pillow.
When Lazarus got sick, Martha sent for Jesus, but He took his time getting to Bethany because He said that his sickness was
“for the glory of God and that the Son of God might be glorified through it.”
Martha was upset that Jesus didn’t come right away because she knew He could heal Lazarus and He wouldn’t die. She had comfort knowing that Lazarus would “rise again in the resurrection at the last day,” because Jesus told her so. But Jesus said,
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
In Jesus’ presence, the dead are always brought back to life. He never attended a funeral where the dead were not raised! This is the way it will be when He returns the second time. He has promised.
Two times before, we had seen Him bring life back to a dead body. There was the widow’s son at Nain and Jairus’ daughter. The noisy crowd at Jairus’ house had laughed at Jesus when he told, them
“She is not dead, but sleeping.”
I am sure if we asked them what death was like, they would say the same thing as Lazarus and Jesus. It is like sleep. This was Jesus, favorite description of death.
Now the chief priests not only wanted to kill Jesus, but they wanted to kill Lazarus too! Lazarus was a testimony against their own beliefs and power. The Sadducees were especially irritated by the resurrection of Lazarus because they did not believe in the resurrection, but as I said, there he was…living proof of not only the certainty of resurrection but also of the power of the Son of God. He symbolized what would happen to all who put their trust in Jesus and the chief priests did not like this because it was a threat to their own beliefs about death and their own power over the people.
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So after the wonderful supper served by Martha, Mary washed the feet of Jesus with some expensive oil called spikenard. Judas was unhappy about this act and complained that Mary’s oil could be sold and given to the poor. Later we would understand why Judas was so upset. It turns out he was stealing from us! Jesus told us, particularly Judas,
“Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
Little did we know that about a week later, she would have this oil with her when she went to the empty tomb of Jesus.
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Cleopas and I left the crowded home of Lazarus and headed to the village where we found the donkey and the colt tied up just as Jesus had described. The owner asked the question for which we already had the answer and we headed back to Bethany.
The next morning on the first day of the week, Sunday (aka as Palm Sunday) as you Gentiles call it, we threw our cloaks on the donkey and helped Jesus upon the beast. Fear came over some of us because Jesus had avoided Jerusalem, the Jews, and particularly the religious leaders. They were expecting Him to come to Jerusalem for the feasts.
“…both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.“
We felt like Jesus was putting us all on dangerous ground.
As we headed into town, many of those who Jesus had healed began to go ahead of him and the crowds began to grow as they gave open and loud praises to him! It was customary for royalty or important leaders to ride into Jerusalem on powerful horses to prove their strength, force, and intimidation. But, seeing Jesus on the donkey spoke to me of humbleness, servitude, compassion, and empathy.
Instead of royal banners, the people joined the growing throng and cut down palm branches and placed them in the path of the anticipated new king of Israel. As the crowd grew larger and louder, our hearts beat wildly within us. All of the disciples had waited for this day when He would accept the people’s adoration and set himself up as King and deliver us from the tyranny of our enemies, particularly Rome! All of us would certainly have high positions in His new kingdom!
More people got caught up in the scene of the approaching King and went out to join the followers and those healed by Jesus. There were many there whose lives found not only new health but meaning and faith in Jesus as the Messiah. All joined in with the praises and cutting palm branches. They waved them in celebration of this wonderful day of deliverance. Many placed clothing in the path of their new King!
The crowd spontaneously and repeatedly shouted the words of the Psalmist who predicted their words hundreds of years before:
‘“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” The King of Israel!”‘
(Psalm 118: 25, 26)
This scene was also described by the prophet Zechariah (9:9)
‘”Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”‘
The Pharisees shouted over the crowd for Jesus to rebuke or make the people quiet. But Jesus said if He did so the stones would immediately cry out! Now was the appointed time for praise to the long-awaited Messiah!
Cleopas and I would not understand all this until a week later when Jesus would give us the Bible study as we walked towards Emmaus. We would hear it a second time when He also taught the remaining eleven disciples from the Tanakh.
In the coming week, before His resurrection, we would see and hear many things from Jesus. After his clearing out the merchants at the temple, we would hear parables and listen to the religious leaders try to trap him. Most of all we looked forward to having the Passover with Him. But, only the twelve would be there.
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DAY 2
Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’
Mark 11: 17
A first -person account of the last week before the resurrection
The following happened on the 2nd day of the week before the resurrection of Jesus
Based on Matt. 21:12-16, 23-46; Mark 11:15-19, 27-33; 12:1-12; Luke 19:45-48; 20:1-19
I would tell you my name, but I don’t want my constituents to know who I am, particularly those of the ruling class here in Jerusalem. You will understand after you hear my story.
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The Rabble call Him Jesus. I watched the stinking rabble follow the false prophet into our city. The palm branches, the donkey, the praises were disturbing to me. The timing could not have been worse. The Passover is near and there are many people from all over the country in our fair city. Jews, converted Gentiles, and the merchants I hired. This is one of the biggest festivals of the year and it is my responsibility as one of the Sadducees to make sure the event is profitable.
The temple yard is full of the merchants selling the sacrificial animals required by the Torah and the Law of Moses. There are sheep, goats, bulls, and doves. I must admit, the sound is loud in the temple yard with all the commotion of the bleating sheep, cows mooing, and all the other sounds of bargaining and people doing business, but the tinkling of the money tells me this year is going to be very good for the Temple and our religion. Most important to me is that I will get a good share of the profits.
The rabble is more than willing to sacrifice their money to buy one of the animals. Because of the demand, we can charge what we wish. They will pay for it! The prices are the highest they have ever been! Yes, business is good! We need to take advantage of the short time available to those of us in the business.
There is a sudden hush over the crowd. It has gone dead quiet. Even the animals have stopped their pitiful sounds.
“What is going on?”
As I say this to a man standing next to me, my eyes fall on a figure near the entrance to the temple and behind the money-changers’ tables. His eyes meet mine and I see anger and pity combined. I have never seen such a face so calm and assuring, but also powerful and regal despite his well-traveled clothes. He is obviously not part of the leaders in the city.
Then it occurs to me, this is the man…the false prophet…He is the man called Jesus that everyone was honoring yesterday! He has some cords in his hands and he raises them above his head and strikes the tables and all the coin goes flying. He then takes hold of the tables and flips them quickly as if he is judging my friends selling the animals. Who is He to judge my friends in such a harsh way?
Then in a loud voice, He says,
“Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’
The crowd, particularly the money changers go running out of the Temple yard trying to grab a few of the reachable coins as they hastily and fearfully retreat. Even the animals flee! The sheep and goats run with a certain joy as would a man escaping from prison. Jesus opens the cages and lets the doves fly away. There goes the money we planned on making today! Who is this Jesus to do such a thing? We are just trying to make an honest living…Well, some of those money changers are sinners and probably are not honest with the buyers, but what is that to me?
In a matter of moments, the Temple area is quiet and all that remains is Jesus, the rabble, and me. But, I decided to leave with the animals as His eyes again penetrate mine. I feel uncomfortable and feel the strange metallic fear in the back of my throat. But, as I quickly leave, I see some of the rabble coming in. They have their children. Soon the Temple area has a new sound of praising and children laughing.
In the streets, I see my other Sadducee brothers, the chief priests, and the elders coming towards me with a perplexed look on their faces. The Pharisees are not too far behind. They ask me what I had just asked a man near me,
“What is going on in the Temple?”
I give them a brief description and we all walk to the Temple to encounter Jesus. He can’t do this and get away with it! I seem to recall that He did this three years ago! What authority does He have to do such a thing? Anyway, we need to get our business back up and running quickly.
As we enter temple area, we can hear men and women singing and the children are saying the same thing as yesterday,
“”Hosanna to the Son of David!”
People are praising God and crying with happiness for their eyesight and ability to walk again. The children are sitting on the knees of Jesus and everyone is in a joyous and attentive mood. Not very proper for the religious atmosphere of the Temple! It makes me uncomfortable hearing the sound of children saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” So I say to Jesus,
“Do you hear what these children are saying? “
“Yes,” He said “have you never read,“‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise?”
I remember reading this in the book of Psalm. He seems to be a teacher. His voice is soft but strong. He seems like a King. I walk back to my friends and constituents for comfort from those eyes!
We walk in together and I ask Jesus:
“By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”
I expect my question to trap him because He is going against all the tradition and the strength of these important leaders! But, He immediately responds by asking me a question!
“I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me: The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”
All of us huddle together to discuss how we will answer. But, we soon find there is no easy response. We must be careful not to trap ourselves!
“If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.”
We don’t know how to answer so I say,
“We do not know.”
Maybe this answer is a good one because He will then have to tell us by what authority He takes over the temple area. Instead, He says,
“Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.“
As we turn to leave, He asks for our opinion about a story of two sons,
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”
This is easy, so I answer,
“The first.”
But, His point cuts to my heart and makes me angry,
“Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.”
How dare Him to say that the Rabble is better than me!
Just when I am about to turn and leave with my constituents, He engages us again,
“Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them.Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.”
“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”
Again, an easy answer, but because of my anger, I answer before I think it through,
“He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”
Then Jesus rouses the anger of my highly esteemed religious leaders by referring to the book of Psalms and saying to us,
“the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”
These parables are referring to us! He thinks our great nation will be given to another? What nerve! He is a false prophet! My anger boils as I listen to this…this….man. We can’t take it any longer.
We all walk outside the temple area confused about how to handle this situation. Since no one can come up with a suitable answer that would not arouse the anger of the people, we agree to meet later to discuss what we should do about Jesus and His Rabble. We will call it a day, but we will take up the matter again tomorrow. Something must be done about this false Prophet. He is stirring up the people and is a threat to our business and religion. The death of one man to save our nation seems to be the only answer!
A few of us hang around to listen to Jesus talk…hoping to use His own words against Him.
Later, we learn Jesus has retired to Bethany for the night. Tomorrow we will deal with Him and get this matter settled once and for all. After all, there are many of us who are well established in the community. We have been to all the good schools, we can out think Him. We will expose Him for who He is!
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Author’s note:
Some are good at religion but have a poor knowledge of the Kingdom of God. Jesus came to reclaim that which was taken by the merchants, traders, and those who occupy the Temple. Does Jesus need to overturn and clean our minds so He may bring praise and singing back to our hearts-the Temple of the Spirit? Indeed, one Man’s death would spare not just one nation, but many people around the world. In Him we all find life.